The secert moon

[coalfur]

The Cats
Quickblizzard- a white tom form Riverclan
Graystone- a gray tom From Riverclan
Winter- a white she-cat
Carrion- brown tom
Blackheart-black tom from Shadowclan
Coal-black she-cat formerly of Shadowclan.
Tony- brown she-cat
Saker-tan she-cat
Mouth- brown tom

The Story
Coal crouched and tensed her musles. A small tingle went trough her making her black tail twitch. She unsheathed her claws and dug them into the soft forest ground beneath her black paws. SHe luanched herself forward teeth gleaming in a small patch of sunlight that flitered trough the leaf filled trees of green leaf. She landed with a small thump upon the warm body of a small vole. She killed it with a quick bite to the neck. She raised her black head letting the wram sunligth fall upon her face. Then she sighed in contentment and perhaps a bit of sadness too. It had been sixteen dawns secnce she had left Shadowclan where she was known as Coalfur brave defender of the territory. Perhaps it had been the best idea. Shadowclan would not tolerate the half blood kits Coal had harbored. But it was not as if she could help falling in love. Garystone the love of her life was a Riverclan. Coal sighed and dipped her head to pick up her prey. With it in her mouth she crossed the a nearby clearing towards a stump. It was rotten on the inside, just a small hloe but good for hiding things like fresh-kill. But Coal didn't put this vole in the trunk for later, instead she brushed her way through a fern that hid a small round opening. She heard the sound of wailing kits. She crouched so as not to hit the roots that surrounded this den like bars caging her in. the kits were a small bundled mass in the middle of her moss nest. She purred as the kits wailed louder then curled heself around them. She sigh then began to eat her vole her mind wondering to the clan mates she had left behind. How were her littermates doing? Was Shadowclan thriving? Did they need extra paws in the the clan? How was Blackheart? Coal flicked her tail in memory of him. Blcakheart was her best friend. He was not named after the so clled black heart inside him. No he was named becaouse his father had been evil. Killing all the kits in the clan then forcing the queens to bare more kits and having the expecting queens and elders hunt for the entire Clan. Because Blackheart looked so much like his father they named him Blackkit and then BLackheart. But the name was all wrong. He was sweet tempered and understanding. Any way she missed him so much that it ached. She wanted him there to share the experice of kits. But She couldn't have everything. Then Coal's thoughts drifted to her mate. Graystone was handsome and caring, compassionet gentle and understanding. And best of all he loved her. Coal still remembered when she first saw him. She was at first gethering of a warrior. She had skidded down the into the ravine with speeding paw steps. Of course she had bundled right into him, knocked him over and embarssed himin front of the entire four clans. But instead of glowering at her Graystone just picked himslef up and purred in amusement. They had gotten to talking and she had learned that he was tewntey one moons old and this was his second gathering. Soon they had begun to meet at every gathering. And each time Coal fell a bit more in love with him. Then they began to meet at certain places in each other territory. And finally they had kits. Three beautiful ones. Two black ones and a gray one like her father. Coal swallowed the last of her vole and licked her lips staisfied. She began to clean herself washing her thick pink tongue over her black body. Suddenly she heard footsteps above her. She purred probably Graystone coming to see the kits. The footsteps padded down the tunnel and into the small den. A cat stood in the entrance. And it wasn't her mate.

[Shattereddream]

Very nice start! Can't wait to read the rest!

[coalfur]

Coal hissed and heaved herself to her feet. In the entrance silhouetted by the seting sun of an ending day was a brown tom. Coal raised a paw threatingly. She did not know this tom. He was not from her clan or any other. Perhaps he was a loner or a rogue. Coal unsheathed her claws. But then se heard a voice and it wasn't the tom's. "Carrion?" it called sweetly from above. Coal decided it was a she-cats voice. "Carrion, i'm coming down. Please move out of the way." The tom, Carrion, side stepped his green eyes focused intently oh her. A scuffle form above and anthor cat stood at the entrace. The one was a pretty white she-cat whose belly was swollen with kits. The she-cat blinked in surpirse having no idea that Coal was down here. Coal glared at her then back at Carrion sensing that he was the real threat. She tried to search his eyes for any sign of anger but instead they were frozen with a look of disbelif in them not anger or hate as Coal had expected. The she-cat glanced from Carrion to Coal. "Well," she meowed brightly in to the silence. "Carrion we can't chase her off she has kits too." The she-cat sighed casting a sullen glance over Coals shoulder at the kits. " We'll have to move on." She turned and started to pad up the tunnel but Coal spoke before she could get very far. " If," Coal meowed thoughtfully. " you're having kits too, I suppose you could stay here." The she-cat cast a hopeful glance as she paused in the tunnel. "But," Coal contiued. "You must not let the cats around here know about this place. They will kill you." The white she-cat had by now padded back down towards Coal. She stood next to her mate and nodded agreeably. " Of course we would never do anything like that. But would you really have us?" Coal nodded and settled down by her kits once more. the white she-cat layed down close by but not close enough to make Coal axious. Carrion however padded up the tunnel and left the ferns rusleing as he pushed through them. The she-ca flicked her tial and sighed. Then she turned her leaf green gaze towards Coal. " Thanks so much for having us. It's very kind of you." She purred. " This was my brithing den too. I wanted to have my kits here. I'm called Winter. And my mate is Carrion." Winter paused thoughtfully. "You'll have to excuse him. He dosen't like to have any cat around while I'm so close to kitting. This is my third litter. The others left along time ago. I miss them sometimes. But they come and vist." Coal warmed to the she-cat, this Winter. " Hi." Coal mumbled. " I'm Coal. This is my first litter. But I do miss my sister Nightfox. She died a long time ago." Winter whimpered in understanding. They lay there for awhile enjoying each other's company. Coal like it most. It had been so long sence she had a she-cat to talk to. and what a lucky find of haveing one so close to kitting soon. Perhaps Winter's kits could stay and be friends with her own. Maybe Winter could even help Coal name her's. Coal was tempted to say this but Winter had fallen asleep. The brown tom, Carrion, still hadn't returned. It was at least moon high when Coal finally fell asleep. The next morning Coal wke to find Carrion sleeping curled around Winter sheltering her stomach. There was a smal starling by Coal feet. With a small sigh Coal bit into the fresh-kill. Winter woke up then, glanceing around her contntedly. She dipped her head companionly towards Coal and began to devour the mouse at her own white paws. Carrion was still sleeping snoreing slightly with each breath. Coal finished and rasped her pink tongue over the kits. The gray she-cat mewled sightly, her tiny paws kneading Coal's black stomach. Coal purred and contiued washing her kits. Winter flicked her tail. Carrion slept on. Winter stood up and padded silently over to Coal. She settleed her self around Coal so that thier bosdy cupped the kits. Coal glanced uneasily up at her, but Winter ignored her. "Well?" She whisper-hissed. "What are their names? And where is thier father?" Coal blinked at the abrut way of speaking. She had thought this she-cat was sweet and understanding. Could Caol have been wrong? Winter rolled in eyes and hissed, " Look I wanted you to tell me last night. But you were clearly uneasy, so I waited." She paused. "But now i'm tired of waiting. So tell me." Coal glared at her then muttered," They don't have any names. And their father lives some where else." Winter gazed back confusion etched into her face. So Coal explained everything. About the clans about, the warrior code, about Starclan. Winter aborsbed this information with interest. After Coal was done Winter rasped her tongue comfortingly over Coal's light gray ear. Suddenly a movement in the far corner sugested that Carrion was a
wake. He stood up shaking scraps of moss from his brown pelt. He padded to Winter and gently touched noses wth her, his eyes tender with care. Winter purred as he sat down next to her pressing his body against hers. Coal looked on with jealousy in her green eyes. Carrion said, "It was nice to have you take us in." Hie voice was rasping and deep but kindly and gentle. " I heard about your situation, Coal. And it's a sad one. But please name your kits. They do not deserve to go so long with out one." Coal nodded and rested her tail on a tiny black she-cat. Just as Graystone pushed his face threw the hole.

[Shattereddream]

Awesome story! ^_^

[coalfur]

OCC: Thanks Shattereddream!!! Loved your story.

Carrion sprang to his paws and whipped aroud in one smooth motion. Winter crouched and hissed but didn't pad over to stand next to her mate. Graystone hissed and glared at Carrion and winter eyes flicking between the two, trying to decide which would be attacked first. Coal stood up disloging the kits. Their thin weedy wails drew Winter's eyes but Carrion focused on her mate. Coal wove past Winter whose eyes flicked back to her and nudged Carrion aside. Carrion was unwill to move but abliged. Graystone hiised at his movement but allowed Coal to approach. She pressed her muzzle against his and Graystone relaxed enough to purr. Coal flicked her tial at Carrion and Winter then meowed to Graystone. " Graystone you silly mouse fodder." She purred. " These cats are friendly. Look the white one has kits too. They need a place to stay." Coal meowed," I offer this to them. The she-cat is Winter and the tom is Carrion." Winter had by now stoped crouching and Carrion dipped his head to Graystone in a friendly greeting. Graystone returned the gesture stiffly in a bit friendly. Coal purred and padded back to her kits where they lay in a dark heep still wailing. Graystone skirtted Carrion and settled down nexst to her. He licked each kit tenderly with all thelove a father could give. Carrion nodded to them and padded swiftly otu the tunnel. Winter sat down far enough to not seem a threat but close enough to talk quietly to Graystone, who beganto rasp a tongue comfortingly over her light gray ear. Coal began to fel drowsy her green eyes shutting slowly. Suddenly a scuffling in the tunnel brought her back to her senses, but with a wift of scent and fresh kill she relaxed again realizing it was only Carrion. He flicked his tail in greeting his mouth too full with a robin and three mice to talk. He dropped them in a heap in the middle of the small circle. He lay down next to Winter with his paws tucked under him. Winter by now had addoted a simalar pose. Graystone snatched up a mouse for her and the robin for himself. Winter and Carrion were left with the two mice. They didn't seem to mind. As Coal began to eat her mouse, Carrion brought up the subject of names. Graystone nodded but said he couldn't think of anything good to name them. Coal dipped her head in agreement. Winter gazed thoughtfully at the far wall. Carrion took this pause in conversation to take a huge bite out of the mouse. Coal flicked her tail and swallowed her fresh kill. " What," She asked. "about Nettle for the tiny black she-cat?" Carrion purred in agreement and graystone dipped his head but Winter remained silent. She just flicked her tail and contiued stareing. Graystone spoke next. "We could name the gray she-cat Mouse." Coal purred and Carrion twitched his ear. Suddenly Winter started out of her daze and yowled so lud that the kits squealed and all the other cats flatted their ears. "Why," she meowed breathlessly. " you name the Bear." Coal and Graystone looked at each other. While Carrion pressed his muzzle into Winter flank. Suddenly Coal erupted into a purr which Graystone quickly joined in. It was a happy moment. Caol rested her tail on the gray she-cat. "you shall be Mouse." she purred and flicked her tail to rest on the tiny black she-cat." You shall be Nettle." She placed her tail on the final and only tom of her litter. " You shall be Bear." Graystone purred but Winter and Carrion looked uneasy. "Umm.." hesataited Winter. "You see as wanderers or as you so call us loners, we have a tradition. See, we name who the kit will go to if both of you should die. It's because we have no clan to look after them for us." Carrion nodded. Graystone and Coal exchainged a look. Then Graystone meowed to the akward silence. " Very well. Both of you shall be their guardian. But lets hope we don't need to think about it." Winter and Carrion looked pleased and Coal purred. But their happyness was cut short by footsteps coming down the tunnel.
OCC: Sorry for the short ending. Dinner and all.

[coalfur]

The cats
Quickblizzard-white tom from Riverclan
Graystone-gray tom from Riverclan
Winter-white she-cat
Carrion-brown tom
Blackheart-black tom from Shadowclan
Coal-black she-cat fromerly of Shadowclan
Tony-tan she-cat
Saker-tan she-cat
Mouth-brown tom
Mouse-gray she-cat
Nettle-tiny black
Bear-black tom

Carrion stood up his brown fur bristling. Graystone was right next to him. Winter shrank down cruling her white body around the three tiny newly named kits. Caol heaved herself to her black paws and stood beside her mate. A very familer nose popped through the roots. Black and a bit squashed. Carrion hissed and lunged at the nose. With a scuffling and a loud yowl, Blackheart was pinned under Carrion's sturdy brown paw. He gazed at Coal with unblievling eyes. Coal stared down at him with horror. How did he know? How much did he know? Graystone flashed a concerned look at the kits then appraoched Blackheart with a menacing growl. He paw raised with black claws extended. Coal padded forward and rested her tail across Graystone's shoulders. He paused and looked at her. She hissed and continued forward. Under Carrion's paws Blackheart looked extremly frigthened. She ignored him and gazed stright into Carrion's green eyes. Coal willed him into understand and perhaps he did because he backed off. Blackheart struggled to his feet. Coal hissed warningly. He gazed behind her. At the two rogues and Graystone. "Blackheart." Coal meowed. "Would you like to see my kits?" Blackheart glanced at her then did a double take. He flashed a glance at graystone who he had notice was blocking Winter's stomach from veiw. Graystone however hissed and bristled even more. Coal shook her head slowly and padded towrads Winter bekoning to Blackheart with her tail. She led him to stand right above Winter who was snarling silently. "These are mine and Graystone's kits." she told him. "The gray one is Mouse, the tom is Bear, and the black she-cat is Nettle." Blackheart nodded relaxing as he looked at his best friends kits. "Please, Blackheart, you must understand that I love these kits. So you mustn't tell." Blackheart nodded and flicked his tail towards Winter and Carrion. "Who," he mumbled."Are they?" Caol purred and answered,"They are Winter and Carrion, my friends." Carrion and Winter beamed and dipped there heads towards Blackheart. Coal purred and layed next to her kits. Graystone sat down next to her nad hovered over the kits protecting them. "I'll help you." Blackheart muttered. "I could help you guys hunt and you know gaurd them and stuff." Coal purred but shook her black head. "No no," she purred. "That won't be nessary. We will be leaving tomorrow." Graystone and Carron exchanged confused glances but Winter nodded understandingly. Blackheart silently yowled words forgotten. "I decided..." Coal hesatated. "That if another cat found us we would move." Graystone ontinued to look confused but Carrion's face cleared with sudden understanding. "It's getting too dangerous to stay here." Coal murmured hoping against hope that Graystone would understand. "I moving in the mourning. Some where the clans can't find me. And I'm taking the kits." Graystone hissed and began to protest but was cut off by Blackheart who now yowled, "Where ever you're going I'm coming too." Coal hissed and shook her head but Blackheart plowed on ignoring her. "Look I swore to your mother that I would protect you. I'm not loyal to the Clan. Not when they hate me so much. I'm loyal to you. Please for me tkae me with you." Coal blinked happily nad nodded to full of emotion to answer. But then Graystone growled. "Coal you can't leave. What about your clan? What about your family? What bout me?" Coal sighed then meowed,"Oh Graystone, I'm sorry." She paused. "I'm not asking you to leave your Clan, it's just Blackheart found us and soon the whole of Shadowclan will be here. They'll kill the kits and then me. Please you don't have to come with me, but I wished you would." Graystone flicked his ear uncomfortablly. Then with hesatation nodded his head. Coal purred and rubbed her muzzle against his gray flank. Then her green gazed flitted to Winter and Carrion. "I understand," She meowed. "That you want to have your kits here. But please come with us." Carrion and Winter exchanged a look and Carrion shrugged. It appeared that Carrion didn't mind where they had the kits. So long as Winter was safe. Winter sighed then shifted her amber gazed to meet Coal's green one. then with out a moment's heastation she nodded. Coal was about to purred but then Graystone spoke up. "Coal." he meowed into the silence. "I need to go back and say goodbye. And because you got to have a Shadowclan cat come, I want to havea Riverclan cat come along. Is that okay?" Coal nodded and Graystone flicked his tail and padded up to the tunnel. Coal gazed expectantly at Blackheart but he shook his black head,"Nah I don't need to say good bye. Ain't no one there that likes me." Coal purred and rasped a tongue over his ear. Winter and Carrion settled down side by side to get some rest down for tomorrow's big journey. Coal decided to do like wise.

[coalfur]

Some thing prodded her side. It did it again. Coal flicked her tial and hissed but the thing just kept doing that. Coal opened her eyes and heaved herself to her feet. Blinking wearily around her Coal gazed right into Graystone's eyes. Beside him looking extremly uncomfortable was a white tom. Coal remember the conversation spoken last night and sniffed the tom. Yep he was Riverclan. No doudt about that, the fishy water smell rose around him like a bubble. Graystone dropped a small fish at her feet. She lked at it then back at him greatfully. Then she dipped her black head and sunk her teeth in to the fish. It tasted like water and salt but it wasn't that bad. Graystone rasped his tongue over her ear then went to check the kits. The white tom followed him aprehensivly. Coal finsih the fish and began to wash herself. Her green eyes gazed around the undersized den. In the corner was Blackheart who had by all means caught himself a small vole then to Carrion and Winter who were sharing a thrush. Everyone one looked at ease except for the white tom.Coal paused in her washing to say, "Who is he?" Graystone with out looking up form the kits whom he was washing answered, "His name is Quickblizzard. He is my brother." Coal dipped her head and returned to her washing. Quickblizzard diped his head but didn't relax. Coal sighed. It didn't matter, he woud have to come around. It was inevetable, it he wanted to stay with them. With a brisk shake and a massive yawn Coal stood up. Instantly every eye was on her. She gazed around at everyone. If they expected for her to give the orders.... It looked like they did. "Okay is everyone ready to go?" she asked. They all nodded, so Coal began to isue orders. "Right Graystone, Blackheart and I will carry the kits. No Winter," She said for Winter had begun to protest. "you have enough weight for now. You don't have to carry the kits." Winter nodded. Coal tought for a moment. "Actually, Winter take Blackhearts kit. We need the the strongest to be free. Now Graystone, Winter and I will walk in the middle. Carrion you will take the right flank and Quckblizzard you will take the left. Blackheart will bring up the rear. I will lead Because we don't have a a gaurd for the front. Yes Graystone." Graystone like Winter protested. "I will lead becouse only I will know where I want my kits to be raised. "Graystone nodded but scowled. "Anymore objections?" The cats looked around at each other but no one said a word. " Right then, "Coal continued. "Graystone you will take Bear and Winter take Nettle. She's the lightest. And I will take Mouse." As Coal spoke Winter dipped her pretty white head to pick up nettle while Graystone grasped Bear in his jaws. Coal lifted Mouse from the moss. Then with the squealing kit in her mouth she raised her tail and bekconed to the company. She padded out of the under-stump den in to the light. Winter emerged next with Carrion close behind her. Then came Graystone with the black kit swinging dangerously. Finally came Quickblizzard and Blackheart both squeezing out the entrance at the same time. Coal heard a yowl. She whipped her head around perhaps a bit too rough because Mouse began to yowl. But that was the least of Coal's concern. In front of her was a Shadowclan patrol. Three tom's and a she-cat. Coal reconized them at once. The brown tom was Mudthorn, the golden tom was Lionfur, the gray tom was Rockpelt, and the white she-cat was Snowdrift. They looked apalled at finding the company of cats emerging from the ferns. Coal gently set Mouse down and approached them. Lionfur, her old mentor, purred confusidly at her approach but Rockpelt and Mudthorn hissed. Coal ignored them at touched noses with Lionfur. Carrion growled but didn't move. Coal meowed to Lionfur and co. "Hello. We were just leaving. Please let us pass." but Lionfur growled, "I'm sorry Coalfur, you have Riverclan and rogues with you. You can pass but they must be killed." Quickblizzard hissed but stayed still. Coal shook her jead slowly and hissed sasdly. "Lionfur I'm sorry but they are my friends." With complete suddeness Coal lept at her former mentor. A battle began. Mudthorn lept at Winter but Carrion rose to meet him. The two tom met in mid air clawing fericely at each other. Rockpelt swung a paw at Mouse who was still wailing pathicly on the ground, but Winter pushed him away. She crouched over Mouse and gently place Nettle next to her. Rockplet was recovered from the hit and lunged for Winter but blackheart clawed him away. Snowdrift and Quickblizzard were locked in a tussle. But that was all that Coal could see because Lionfur who was trying head to dislodge her from his shoulders now rammed her against a tree. She blinked dazedly as Lionfur glared at her. He lunged at her and she ducked so that he hit head own head on the tree. He fell stunned in front of her and she was on him in an instant clawing at his golden stomach. He pushed her off with his paws and she sprang away rebounding of the tree and landing next to Winter. Winter blinked in surprise but made no comment. She and Graystone were fercily gaurding the kits. Lionfur stood up his stomach bleeding heavily. He lunged for Coal but they training they had done told her what to do. She crouched and Lionfur over shot her. She raised a paw and clawed at the golden stomach above her. He landed akwardly and spun to face her. But he was already there clawing at his nose. Lionfur was unprepared. He growled and spun into the undergrowth and away. Coal breathing heavily turned to see how the other fights were doing. Snowdrift had disaapeared and Quickblizzard was helping Carrion fight Mudthorn. With a bite from Carrion Mudthorn squrimmed away and raced off. Now only Rockplet was left. he had pinned Blackheart under his gray paws and was leaning down to deliver a death bite When Coal shoved him roughly away. The four cats who had fought apprached him hissing and grwoling till he fled like the other. Coal turned quickly ishueing orders. "Quickly" she called. "We must leave they will bring renforcements. Hurry pick the posion that I declared. We will tend our wounds later." The company scurried to do as she siad. Graystone still had Bear in his mouth. Winter dipped her head for nettle and Coal raised Mouse in her mouth. Graystone and Winter were soon surrounded by Blackheart, Carrion and Quickblizzard. The cats moved of quickly. They followed Coal threw Shadowclan terriotory. Soon they were at the boundry marked by a fallen pine. Coal slowed a little but Graystone placed his tail comfortingly across her shoulders and they continued. behind them they heard a yowl. Snowdrift was leading a patrol of warriors towards them. Coal ran across the border and beyond hoping Shadowclan wouldn't follow. at leat thirtey tail-lenths had gone by before Coal stopped panting. The other cats were still behind her but shadowclan had stayed at the border yowleing into the midday sun. Coal could see them jumping up and down. She chuckled and set Mouse down. They were on a moor now. But it wasn't Windclan's. This was rogue territory, not made for the Clans. "Carrion." Coal called. "Come here and take Mouse. You must lead now. I don't know this place. Take us some where there is prey, water and shelter." Carrion nodded and lifted Mouse in his brown jaws. The company continued with Coal on right flank. Carrion led them over hills and across tiny streams. Each time the cats drank not knowing when their next would be. Coal could feel hunger clawing at her stomach and her wounds dripping blood. The territory was the same every where. They walked until the sun began to set. Carrion then paused and cocked his head towards a small lump in the distance. He gently lowered Mouse to the ground then meowed, "That is our shelter. It is a Twoleg barn. They don't go out there much but there is plently of mice and a barrel full of water for the horses. Is that okay?" Coal nodded to tired to speak. Carrion picked up Mouse again and began to walk. The cats padded after him wearily. The sun had sat completely lewaving then in pure darkness before they reached the barn. Carrion led them around the back and into a smal hole where as he explianed a horse had kicked. Each of them slipped inside. Their eyes adjusted to the light and they could make out four sleeping shapes. Carion herded them up a ramp in to a loft. The loft was full of hay and Coal could hear the rusling of tiny creatures. She drew in a breath inhaling the scent with turned out to be mouse. Coal sighed. The other cats had already spread out. Graystone, Winter, and Carrion placed the kits by her sidea and headed off to hunt. graystone licked her light gray ear and offered to hunt for her. She nodded greatfully and dug a nest out of hay. then she began to carry the kits into it. They were tired and hungry. Each one fell asleep as soon as the it the hay. Coal curled around them. Nettle was the first to wake up. She opened her tiny green eyes and began to scuccle. bear awoke at the sound and with his scuffling woke Mouse too. Graystone soon brought her a plump mouse. She bit into it feeeling the taste seep into her mouth. Carrion nad IWnter cruled together not far away while Blackheart and Qucikblizzard began to eat their mice. Graystone cruled into a ball having finished his mouse. Only his head wasn't tucked and he began to share tongues with Coal. Caol purred and while he groomed her she groomed thier kits. Coal gazed around at the company. Quickbllizzard and Blackheart began to share tongues while Winter and Carrion had finished their mice and had gone to bed.Coal sighed,it was going to be a long night.

[coalfur]

The next mourning Coal woke early. She thought she heard a tiny voice say something. She yawned and shook her head. She slowly stood up so as not to disturb a sleeping Graystone. As she rose to her black paws a small feeble voice cried, "No. Stay." Coal paused. Where did it come from? She looked towards Blackheart and Quickblizzard who were curled a tails-lenth form each other. Blackheart was snoring slightly and Quickblizzard was twitching but both were deep asleep. She turned to Winter and Carrion. Winter was tucked as tightly as she could with her swollen stomach but Carrion was awake. His brown body was hunched over a mouse he had cought but he wasn't eating. Instead his eyes were fixed on Nettle who had both tiny green eyes open and sitting up looking cross. Coal gazed down at her kit. Nettle glared right back up. "No. Stay." The tiny kit repeated. Coal and Carrion stared. Caol swoped down and grasped the protesting kit in her jaws. Together she and Carrion padded down form the musky loft and avoiding the horses as much as possioble they slipped through the hole. Coal set the kit down and sat down next to her. She purred to herself at the thought of Nettle speaking. This would bring new hope to the company. Carrion sat down next to her and thoughtfully gazed at Nettle who was trying to squrim to Coal. But though she had talked Nettle didn't know how to walk. Carrion meowed something after a while. "You know." he thoughtfully paused. "Nettle talking will bring hope to the others." Coal nodded and sighed. HEr green gaze swept to the horizan where the rising sun was setting fire to the night sky.This tom was understanding. He would be a great second in command. Coal knew that they wanted her to lead. It was pretty apparent. But what she need was some one who could inforce her and give a helpful opion or advice. Carrion was sensable and kind. he would be a great leader. Coal twitched her light gray ear. "Carrion."She meowed. "Loook i know the others want me to lead but..." Coal paused not knowing what to say. "In case I'm unavoible detained I'll need some one to take over. I want you to lead next. You know the loner contry and the others like already." Coal waited breathlessly for Carrions answer. Luckly she didn't have to wait long. He chuckled and nodded having noticed her tense. A yowl sounded from inside and both cats whipped around. Coal quickly snatched Nettle up and swiftly raced into the barn. A rumble and a loud whinney alerted her. Dodgeiing quickly to the rigth Coal barely manged to avoid the panicked horse's hooves. They beat down harshly. Coal danced and diped her way over to the ladder, Nettle swinging wildly form her mouth. Coal could see Blackheart half way up the ladder with Graystone's face anxiously gazing down. Graystone's face tenseed as he saw her alone with Nettle but relaxed as Carrion appeared at her side. Blackheart troted up the ladder and Coal went next. Carrion picked up the rear. As Coal reached the top, a strong smell of blood whafted past her pink nose. Carrions ears pricked and Caol swung around trying to locate the sorce. It came form Winter. Carrion yowled and lept to her. No one tried to stop him. Winter's body consulved and the strong scent of blood increased. Coal dropped Nettle at Graystone's feet and launched herself at Carrions side. He was licking Winters face soothingly but his eyes were wide with shock. Coal knew he would only be in the way. She shoved him aside with her black body. With a heave form Winter the brown body of a kit appeared. Coal instantly picked up the kit and gave it to Carrion. "Lick." she commanded. He bent his head. Coal didn't wiat to see more instead she returned to Winter. Winter's body heaved. More blood. Again Winter pushed and two kits came out at the same time. Coal directed Blackheart to one and Quickblizzard to the other. They did as they were told. Winter gave one last heave and one last kit came out. The blood still flowed but less and less each time. Carrion stoped licking his kit which was squirmed and began to lick Winter. Coal looked down at the kit that was at her paws. Unlike the other three, this one wasn't moving. THis one didn't squeal or make any noise. Coal bent her head but knew it was a false hope. Sure enough after a few licks the kit didn't resond. Coal slowly picked the tiny body up. She placed away form its parents. Winter had noticed Coal sadness. She raised her head and called, "Coal. Coal what's wrong ?" A frown crossed her face as she realized what happened. "Coal. Don't be sad. I have three others. Please don't be sad." Coal shook her head and left the loft to bruy the tiny body. Coal skritted the horses which had calmed down and left the barn. She carried the kit to a small mouse hole near the barn loft would be. If she bruyed this little one close to food, perhaps it would make Its journey to Starclan easier. Coal hoped so. She didn't know if Starclan hunted so far out here. She bent her head and sent up a prayer. Starclan please hurry. Caol sighed agian and stayed out there for a while. She knew that the company couldn't leave now. Winter needed to find a place to raise the kits to a proper size before they could leave. Oh well. If thats what Winter need what was Coal to do about it. She just hoped that they could leave before any other loners or rogues pass by.

[coalfur]

Coal sat there mourning the kit's death. But some where down in the deepest part of her heart she was mouring the lose of another kit. Eventually Graystone came out to find her. She buried her black head into his shaggy fur and sobbed. He soothingly rasped his tongue over her head and after a while Coal's sobs siesed. She drew herself up and streched. Graystone purred adn followed her as she led them into the barn up the loft and into the musky dimness next to Winter's side. Carrion, Blackheart and Quickblizzard gathered around to hear the kits names. Winter looked up at Coal and gently place her tail on the brown she-kit. "This one."she purred. "Shall be Owl." She moved her tail to a white tom suckling next to his sister. "This one is Frost." A small brown she-kit flecked with white was lying next to Frost. "And this last one is Freckel." Coal nodded and purred. Carrion spoke next. "The guardin's are Coal and Graystone." Graystone dipped his head. The surronding cats were about to disperse when Coal raised her voice. "Wait I have something to annonce." The cats paused and returned to Coal. "I think for the sake of these kits and for the well being of everyone one, we should elect a leader and assign jobs so that we can remain organized." Coal looked towards Winter and Carrion because underneath her simple suggestion was one that meant something diffirent. She was asking them to help her start a clan. Winter and Carrion exchanged a glance and with silent comuincation they both dipped thier head in agreement. "You." Graystone meowed. " You shall be leader. You will be good." The other cats nodded in quick agreement. Coal dipped her head. "Very well." she meowed her voice a bit horase. "Okay. Umm. I'll need a second in case I..... In case I'm unavaible." Coal avoided the word. Graystone drew himself but Blackheart shrank. "Carrion will you please?" Carrion nodded and graystone looked put out. "Okay as now for jobs." Coal continued. "Winter and I will have nothing due to the fact we will be ahving to nurse kits. Graystone, I want you to patrol any area we come across to stay a while." Graystone nodded and looked pleased having been givin the most danderous job. "Blackheart."she paused. "I want you to look for water and food where we choose to stay. And once yo udo yo uwill unt for me Winter and yourself. Then tell all the others so that they can hunt. Quickblizzard and Carrion you two will stay with us. Oh and scout ahead for us when we enter what seems to be hostile territory." All three cats nodded. "We need a name." Coal blurted. "I think we need a name." Every cat nodded even though Quickblizzard was a bit hesatint. "Strayclan." Carrion offered. Caol nodded liking the idea. Technicly they were all strays. "Right one last thing. We need names like a clan. If you don't mind." Carrion hesitated but Winter accepted without a moment's thought. "Okay Winter you sahll be Winterthorn. And Carrion you can be Carrionclaw. And i shall retake the name Coalfur." Both cats looked happy at the names. "because i'm not a leader and Starclan are with the clan's we'll name the kits their full names too." Graystone nodded and fetched Bear, Nettle, and Mouse. "Bear shall be Beardew. And Nettle will be Nettletail. Mouse will be Mouseclaw." Coal gazed proudly down at her kits. then her green gaze drifted to the three new-borns. "Owl can be Owlglade. Frost will be Frosttail. Freckel can be Freckelpelt." Every one agreeed and scooted off leaving Winterthorn and Coalfur alone. Coalfur nesled down next to her friend and let her own three kits suckle. Coalfur felt good. Strayclan had new kits an organized way to live and new hope. Coalfur hoped that would be enough to get them through the journey.

When Coalfur woke up the next mourning, Winterthorn was still sleeping. Her warm breath was blowing on Coalfur's ear. Carrionclaw was snoring next to Winterthorn. Coalfur knew that no matter what Winterthorn chose her mate would follow. Coalfur hoped that Graystone would do that for her if she told him. If she told him about- Coalfur's thoughts were cut off by Blackheart who had just woken up. He shook out his black pelt and yawned displaying sharp white teeth. Coalfur stood up too and streched. Both cats padded out side, Coalfur leaving three kits lumped together. Coalfur and Blackheart padded to the stream close by. Blackheart knelt and drank but Coalfur just looked at him. she was considering a possiblite that hadn't occured to her before. "Blackheart." she asked. "Do you trust me?" Blackheart starteled by her question nodded warily. "Good." Coalfur paused. "Look, I need you to go to Thunderclan. They celebrate mixed blood. Get them to teach you how to be a medicine cat. Get as much
knowledge as you can. Within two moons." Blackheart opened his mouth to protest but Coalfur didn't let him. "We'll wait here. We have too. For you to come back. For Winterthorns kits to grow. For Quickblizzard to accept to be here. Please go. We will be here." Blackheart blinked and flicked his tail over her ears. "Of course." he mumbled. "You know I would do anything for you." Coalfur purred and gently touched noses with him. He turned and waved his tail in goodbye. She watched as his black form faded into the slowly brightening night sky. She missed him already but didn't try to stop him. She knew as a medicine cat Blackheart was the best. He was compassionate and gentle with all cats. She sighed. A scuffle and a small crunch alerted her of another cat's presence. She swiftly whipped to the right and stared into open sky. Another muffled squeak drew her gaze down. Mouseclaw was standing there her amber eyes glowing in the dawn light. Coalfur looked astonishedly at her daughter. Behind her stood Beardew and behind him was Nettletail. Coalfur tried to find out who had brought them down, but no one was there. Beardew stepped forward stumbling a little. "You left." he acussed. "We cold. We come down." Coalfur's eyes widen in disbelief.
She let out a sudden purr. she dipped her head and rubbed her head in turn against each of her kits. then she picked up Nettletail whowas the smallest and even with other kits wouldn't be able to keep up. She led the two other kits back up the ladder and to her mate. Coalfur tapped him a black paw. He jumped awake, hissed and swung at her with an unsheathed paw. Coalfur lept back and hissed. Graystone's eyes widened as he realized his mistake. With a stiff jerk of her head and a low murmur, she herded her kits back to the corner next to Winterthorn. Graystone padded axsiously behind her. "Coalfur, Coalfur listen." He pleaded. "I thought you were an attacker. I was still dreaming. Please Coalfur." Coalfur settled her kits down with Winterthorn's and whipped around. With a stiff angery motion she beckoned Graystone to the oppisite corner. "If you can't see me with out attacking me."She began. "Perhaps you can't see the kits with out attacking them. I won't allow you to see them at all." Graystone yowled but didn't challenge her. She was leader of Strayclan, in her defense the entire warriors would raise up against him. Coalfur padded stiffly back to her kits leaing Graystone sulking in the shadows.
Coalfur yawned and layed down agian. Quickblizzard who had woken at Graystones yowl was hunting in the shadows. Coalfur woke Carrionclaw and Winterthorn. Riasing her voice she made an announcement. "Blackheart has gone." Four voice cried out their displeasure. "Under my orders." Coalfur called over the noise. "I have asked him to go for two moons to Thunderclan. Once there he will learn as much as he can as a medicine cat." Four faces blanked. Quickblizzard offered a question. "What happens if they ask him to go to a gathering?" Coalfur had prepared herslef to answer any number of questions. "Well they won't will they? It'd be embaressing." Quickblizzard nodded and sat down. "What happens," Graystone asked his face a hard mask. "What happens if he dies?" Coalfur gulped. She turned her pericing green gaze to him. The sliver of blue in her eye seemed to pluse. "He won't." She flicked hertail and turned her back on Strayclan, hoping to Starclan that they wouldn't see the tears welling in her eyes.

Strayclan
Coalfur-black she-cat formerly of Shadowclan
Carrionclaw-brown tom former loner

Quickblizzard-white tom formerly of Riverclan
Graystone- shaggy gray tom formerly of Riverclan
Blackheart-black tom formerly of Shadowclan

Winterthorn-white she-cat former loner

Nettletail- tiny black she-cat
Beardew-black tom
Mouseclaw-gray she-cat

Owlglade-brown she-cat
Frosttail-white tom
Freckelpelt-brown she-cat with flecks of white

The others
Saker-tan she-cat
Tony-tan she-cat
Mouth-brown tom

[coalfur]

The story
~two moons later~


Coalfur hunched over her kits. The wind howled mournfull as it looked for some to dance spritly with. Her kit's Nettletail, Beardew and Mouseclaw were six moons and now apprentices. Coal assigned Quickblizzard to mentor Beardew, Carrionclaw to mentor Mouseclaw and she posted herself as Nettletail's mentor. Graystone still wasn't allowed near the kits and he was surly. She and the kits waited for Quickblizzard and Carrionclaw to flush out some rabbits in some nearby bracken. With a yowl and much thumping five skinny rabbits raced unknowingly towards the four cats. Nettletail, Beardew, Mouseclaw all crouched but Coal stayed light on her feet. With a sudden movement she raced out form the gorse they were hiding in and shot twoards the farthest rabbit. It dodged around her claws but she manged to catch it in another leap. Coalfur lifted her head form the fresh-kill and gazed around at the other cats. Beardew and Nettletail were both standing over dead rabbits but Mouseclaw was in the distance still chasing the fourth one. Carrionclaw raced after her while Quickblizzard drppped his catch. The fourth rabbit escaped Mouseclaw and Carrionclaw and when the cats returned to the barn they had only four rabbits with them. Coalfur dropped her catch in the established area for the freshkill pile with the other but Beardew dragged his over to Winterthorn and her three tiny kits. Beardew found a great interest with Freckelpelt. They were great friends. Winterthorn touched noses with him while Freckelpelt, Owlglade, and Frosttail luanched a pretend ambush on him. HE pretended to run and the kits chased him around the loft. Coafur purred and sat next to Winterthorn. THey began to share-tongues. Coalfur purred contentedly. Graystone sat watching in the shadows his eyes blazeing with jealousy. Coalfur yawned streched and stood up. She waved her tail for silence and caled to the clan. "Today the kit's caught their first rabbits." She paused to allow yowels from the cats. "Tomorrow we will teach them to fight a badger." Again the cats yowled to the enormaus pleasure of Mouseclaw, Nettletail, and Beardew who was stil piled under the three tiny kits. "After that," Coalfur yowled. "We will leave this place. It's too cold and I fear that the clan will use this time as a great attack." It was true. Twice the clans had attacked. It was really only Shadowclan but the damage had been done. Quickblizzard now had a huge scar down his flank and Owlglade was missing the tip of her tail. The cats dispersed to eat the fresh caught rabbits. Coalfur flicked her tail to summon her kits. Beardew had quite a time trying to untangle himself but with Winterthorn's help he managed. She led the kit's over to Graystone. He frowned in confusion. Coalfur purred and murmured under her breath, "All is forgiven." Graystone lept to his feet and ignoreing the kits completly pushed his muzzle against hers. She purred contentedly and backed away letting Graystone get to know his kits better. She padded outside alone think about when she would tell Graystone about the secert moon. She hunched herself over Winterthorn's lost kit's grave. Secertly in her mind she named the kit, Lost. She hoped Lost was watching over them. Coalfur had sworn off Starclan knowing that they would stay with the Clans but she hoped to start her own Starclan and perhaps call them Guideclan. Her gaze suddenly shifted upward. A scent on the wind. Like an old long lost mother she knew this scent. But she couldn't place it. Squinting against the wind she spotted a black shape moving slowly towards her. Behind him three cats padded after him. Coalfur whipped around yowling. Her voice was lost on the wind but perhaps the horses heard it because all of them had thier ears pricked. But they weren't looking at the hole they were stareing down at a shapeless mass right beneath the loft. Coalfur dodged around the hooves and saw nine faces looking down with horrified faces. Coal rushed over to the shapeless mass. She reconized the husky dust scent of Mouseclaw. Coalfur glared up at them but said nothing. Instead she yowled. "Shadowclan is attacking. Come down here and help me protect her. The cats scrambled down the ladder. Coalfur stiffended and waited for the cats to come. Coalfur fluffed her self up waiting for the Shadowclan cats to come. Sure enough with a small sharp yowl and black tom scrambled throgh the hole followed closely by a brown tom and a tan she-cat. Coalfur hissed. The tom spooted them and appraoched. Graystone let out a fereice caturwaul and launched himself at the tiny patrol. The brown tom shrank back but the tan she-cat rose to the challenge. But before Graystone could claw one of them Coalfur leaped between them. She took a menacing step towards Graystone. He backed down with confusion. Coalfur whipped back to the introder. She stared deep into the amber eyes. They reflected hoe and disapointed. Underneath the sleek glossy pelt and lithel strong mucles Coalfur reconized the once scrawny slightly nervous Blackheart. She cocked her head and stared harder. And with a rush of happiness she padded forward to touch noses with him. So." She asked. "They treated you kindly didn't they?" Blackheart looked reveiled. He gently but firmly pushed his muzzle against hers. "I missed you." He breathed. She nodded and realized though she had forgotten him that deep down she missed him. Straightening her raised his muzzle and answered her question. "Oh yes." he chuckled. " They treated me with the utmost honner when they learned about Tawnystar's biggest weakness. Poor thing having a traitor for a brother." Coalfur eyes widened. She sniggered then her eye's flicked to the two cats standing behind Blackheart. "Who," She asked flicking her tail at them and pricking her ears curiously. "Are they?" Blackheart half turned his head towards them but didn't take his eyes off hers. " They are other rogues." He explianed quietly."They need help from Windclan after being driven out. Thunderclan offered to take them but they wanted to come with me." He shrugged ruefully. Coalfur sighed and shrugged. "What are you names?" She called over Blackhearts shoulder. He still didn't ake his amber eyes off her. The brown tom lowered his head sheepishly but the she-cat answered proudly. "I'm Saker. And he's Mouth." Behind Coalfur a tom sniggered. She flicked her tail and let the Saker continue. "We are looking for our sister. She was stolen by the twolegs when we were born. Luckly Mouth and I were close together." Coalfur dipped her head in welcome. She didn't mind so longs as they ddin't hurt the kits. A fiant painful sigh came from behind the row of cats. Coalfur whipped around a bent at Mouseclaw's head. Blackheart came closer but Graystone snarled. To Coalfur's great surprise Blackheart didn't even pause. he padded up and stood next to her examining Mouseclaw intently. Mouseclaw moaned again and opened her amber eyes. She slowly sat up. Then she stood swaying dangerously. Coalfur supported her with Blackheart's help. They managed to get her up the ladder, and into a nest. Then leaving the new medicine cat to take care of her Coalfur sought out her mate. Graystone was with the other two kits. Beardew was sitting somberly with Freckelpelt at his side. Nettletail was on his other side throwing dirty looks at her father. Coalfur thumped herself down in front of them and posed the question. "What happened?" All three of them blurted out at once. Coalfur frowned and flicked her ears. All of them fell silent. She dipped her head at Graystone. "Here's what happened." He began. "We were all sitting there talking when Freack-elpelt lept at Beardew." Both Beardew and Freckelpelt hissed at his chose of words." We, Nettle Mouseclaw and I kept talking. Then Mouseclaw found a mouse. She went off to hunt and I followed because I've never seen them hunt before." He shot a meaningful hunt at Coalfur. "Anyway she ran forward and I ran after her. She stopped suddenly and I ran into her and she fell." Coalfur diped her head and turned to Nettletail. She glared at her father then began her story. "Well we were siting there talking when Freckelpelt lept on Beardew rendering him oblivous so Graystone Mouseclaw and I want for a talk over by the edge. Graystone wanted sit with his back to the edge but Mouseclaw beat him to it. He told her to get up but he isn't her mentor and so therefore she didn't listen." Another glare. "So Graystone get's really mad and jumps at her. First she manages to keep her blance, but then, woosh, thud, she's on the bottom." Coalfur sighed and stood up. With a flick of her tail she streched and trotted off to fing Winterthorn. She was talking happily to Saker with Carrionclaw close to by talking to Mouth. Winterthorn looked up and cut their conversation off. Saker shifted back allowing Coalfur to join the circle. She bent down a hissd into Winterthorn's ear. "What happened." With a simple shrug Saker stood up and trotted off to find Nettletail and Frosttail deep in conversation. She joined them. Winterthorn's green eye's met Coalfur's. "Graystone pushhed her off." she meowed sadly. Coalfur pursed her lips and padde down the ladder and out side again. The wind had died down and the sun had began to set. She went to sit by Lost's grave. It had become her regular thinking spot. Blackheart was already out there. He looked up when she came around the corner. "I never said good luck." he explianed. She nooded and sat beside him. "His name is Lost." she murmured. " It's odd butI miss him. He's like the only innocence left to me. Gryastone pushed her."

[coalfur]

Blackheart nodded. "She said." Coalfur felt her heart break. She leaned agianst him in an effort to keep herself whole. THe ache in her chest grew as the words sunk deeper and eeper in. She bruied her face into Backheart's fur and sobbed. He licked her soothingly and murmured comfortingly. She shuddered and shivered her body trying to make sure she didn't fall apart. Till moon-high they sat there. By then she had cleaned herself up and sat up straight. THey sat side by side staring at Lost's grave. Coalfur sighed. Blackheart turned to her a thoughtful frown across his face. "You know." he meowed softly. "I know I shouldn't say this but..." his calm sothing voice fadded as her deliberated between telling her or holding it to himself. "I think I will. From the first time I saw you out of the nursery exploring and talking happier then any other cat that day I loved you. At first it was brotherly but then as you grew and we became friends and I knew your personality it changed."He paused and shook his head. "I shouldn't be saying this. I'm sorry." With uncomfortable flick of his tail he stood. Coalfur frowned. She didn't know what to say. Blackheart cast her a sad look and paded towards the hoof hole. He got about three lenths away form her when she called out o him. "Wait!!" He paused ad half turned around. She was next to him in a instant. "Blackheart...." she trailed off confusion written in her voice. But he didn't wait for her to say anything instead he tok a step forwad and preesed his muzzle into her fur. She purred. With a step back he withdrew and placed his tail across her shoulders. She led the way through the hole and up the ladder. She padded to Mouseclaw, who was sitting up and talking to Nettletail. Mouseclaw met Coalfur's questing eyes and nooded undestanding at once what her mother wanted. Coalfur lept lightly onto a large stack of hay. Instantly Straclan congregated underneath her. "As you all know." She began. "Blackheart is back. We can saftly move away now. Which is just what we will do tomorrow. But along with the joyous news we have some bad too. Mouseclaw has told me what happened. And though it breacks my heart the truth is known. Graystone pushed her off." A collective gasp ran through Strayclan. "I'm afriad." She yowled over the whispers and furtive glances. "That becuase Graystone is at fault he must leave this clan. As it is stated in the Warrior Code any cat who tries to take the life of their clanmate must be punished. And though I would like to find anyother way to punish Graystone wa are leaving and it would not matter. Graystone I expect you to leave right away." She sighed. " Should any one of our warriors see you after sunset you will be killed." Graysotne stood up and answered with cold asureness. "YOu think i'm going to continue to stay a loner. Hah!" he snorted. "I'm goign back to the clan I never wanted to leave. And then I will attack you. And you will pay. Come on Quickblizzard. We are leaving." He turnned his back on the clan and summoned his brother. Graystone wove his way between the surrounding cats and padded to the ladder. He shifted his body around then realizing that Quickblizzard was still sitting where he was. Graystone spat. "Come on." Quickblizzard gracefully rose to his feet. "No." he meowed. "You asked me to leave my first home and i did. I trusted you. But you.... You would rather kill your own kits then sit where you don't want to. I would love to rejoin Riverclan but with you there it's not worth it. And besides I have a loyaltie to Strayclan now." Carrionclaw murmured. "Well said young one." But Quickblizzard hadn't finished yet. "You will probably be accepted by your clan mates." He hissed. "And you will get to see your kit's again. You know the ones you had with Nightfur." Coalfur gasped. "I have a confession." Quickblizzard growled. "I am not Graystone's brother. I am his son. Graystone has mated with amost every she-cat in Riverclan. Along with three in Thunderclan, four in Windclan and one in Shadowclan. His kin is every where. I'm glad to be gone from him." Graystone glared with hatred etched across his face. He turned slowly and padded down the ladder. But with a swift and desicive movement he turned and attacked Quickblizzard who had his back to him muttering angerily to himself. Coalfur launched herslef at Graystone as he landed on his son. Coalfur clawed at his ear and to her great surprise he sheathed his claws and batted at her gently. She paused and gently sild off him making it seem that she was dazed. However for Carrionclaw there was no such remorse. He battered Graystone till his sides were streaked in blood and gasping breaths threatened to fail him. Graystone shot one look at his kits and Coalfur who had backed off and fled down the ladder his gray tail waving in a mocking hostile farewell. "See you soon." He mocked as he darted through the hole. Coalfur shuddered and collapsed heavily on the floor. Strayclan didn't comment but Carrionclaw began to issue orders. "Quickblizzard please go and hunt for the ones who can't hunt." A sidelong glance and Coalfur who was still shuddering. " Um...Beardew and Mouseclaw stay here and protect and hlep in any way you can. Nettletail you come with me. We'll guard the entrace." A short pause. "Blackheart do whatevr you see fit." And they all scattered. Quickblizzard disappeared deep into the hay bales while Nettletail trotted after Carrionclaw. Blackheart turned to Beardew, Mouseclaw, Winterthorn, and her kits. "Winterthorn i think it's best if you take your kits back to the farthest corner. THis." he flicked his tail in Coafur's direction. "THis is unhealthy for young minds." Winterthorn who had gaseped at the bluntness of his words obeyed herding the kits. Beardew made a motion to follow but sat down with a glance at Blackheart. Blackheart nodded. With a rather happy flick of his tail he followed them. "Mouseclaw." continued Blackheart. "Please hunt. We'll need as much food as possible." Mouseclaw nodded and quickly followed Quickblizzard in to the deepest hay bale area. Coalfur groaned and whimpered. Blackheart turned his full attentionto her his amber eyes glowing softly with love and concern. "Up." he said firmly, bluntly. Coalfur shocked to the core obeyed happy to not to think for herself. She stumbled over her feet and scrambled into her nest where she sank with dismay. Blackheart pressed himself against her and purred but her eyes glazed over. He licked her then and she inturn responed with a muffled groan cover with sobbs. Blackheart murmured incoherent thinks into her fur. Soon her sobbs died away but the uncontrolable shivering continued. She sniffled an muttered. "I'm sorry." She said shifting so she wasn't as close and turning her black head away. But Blackheart shifted closer again. "Don't be. I understand." Coalfur sighed and returned his gazed her eyes frowning but her face remained expresionless. " I don't deserve you." Now the frown was promanent. " I don't deserve you. You are too good. Too understnding. You should be mad. You should be trying to kill me." Blackheart stared reproachfully at her. " No don't say that. You didn't know and I just want you to be happy. If that thing," he spat. "is what makes you happy well then who am I stop you? I only want you to be happy." Coalfur hissed and stumbled to her feet. She backed away form him her eyes blazing.

[ƒrФ§тƒire]

Wow. Great story!

[coalfur]

OOC: thanks Frostfire. It's been along time since anyone's read this story.

Blackheart stared back at her with his amber eyes and confusion etched on his face. Coalfr shook her head and giggled. Poor Blackheart he was soo bewildered. She flicked her tail and sat down next to him purring. Bewilderment was flying of him in stinky waves. She rasped her tongue over his ear trying to erase all confusion. She stopped in midlick and whisperd in his ear. "I'm sorry. It's your choice not mine." Blackheart whipped his head around and looked striaght into her eyes. His were brimming with happiness and love. Coalfur pushed her muzzle agianst his, just as Mouseclaw darted out from behind a hay bale. Coalfur jerked back as she watched her daughter pounce on a unsuspecting mouse just tail lenth's away. Coalfur shook her head musingly about how she could miss such a easy meal. Her daughter lifted her head proudly the brown body swaying in her jaws. Mouseclaw pranced to where Blackheart and Coalfur were laying and dropped the mouse at Blackheart's feet. "Mother." She meowed her eyes narrowing. "I can see you are able to hunt. I'm ah having trouble and perhaps you can help me." It's wasn't a question. Coalfur and Blackheart exchanged a glance. Then she nodded and Followed her daughter to the haybales. After going to the deepest part of the hay bales Mouseclaw sat down and glared at her mother. Coalfur completely bemused began to crouch towards a mouse. Mouseclaw rolled her eyes and thumped her tail against the floor boards. The mouse darted away and Coalfur turned to face her daughter. "Why him?" Mouseclaw asked. "What?" Coalfur asked confusion seeped through her voice. " Why did you choose Blackheart?" Mouseclaw clarified with exsasperation. Coalfur just blinked. "Why did you choose Blackhear to be a medicine cat?" Mouseclaw meowed. "It's completely clear he loves you and after the sight I just experinced, It's obvious that you love him too. So why did you choose him to be a medicince cat? It's agianst the warrior code remember?" Coalfur's eye's widened. "Well we don't have a Starcln to go agianst so we have no warrior code." Coalfur avoided carefully the avioded the question because in truth she did not know. "And if we have no warrior code the there is no need to warry about that." Mouseclaw rolled her blue eyes and murmured. " You're avoiding the questiona and plus we have a Starclan. The dead tom form Winterthorn's litter is the begining and then there's you after Blackheart finds out what you did to him." Coalfur shook her head but couldn't fing an argument. "Oh Mouseclaw you are soo right." She cried hestericly. " What am i going to tell him? He'll be so upset."" No he won't." Mouseclw shook her dead and sniggered. "Because i've got an excuse." Coalfur drew back in shock. "Simply tell them it's becuse to get this clan off the ground you must have more blood and the only way that is to mate." But Coalfur shook her ehad. "It won't work." She contridicted. "There's Quickblizzard." But Mouseclaw had found an argumant for that one. "Mom you are soo clueless." She sighed and suddenly embarsment was waving off her. "Quickblizzard is not adviable. See he is padding after..." the waves became more promanent. "Me." Coalfur laughed and touched her tail to her daughter's ear. Then padding she got up and padded back to Blackheart who was licking his lipps. He shot a glance at her then stared fixedly back at her paws. Coalfur hovered over him. Bending down to stare into his eyes which carfully avoided hers, murmured in a whiddling voice. "Blackheart what's wrong?" Blackheart turned his eyes to stare into hers and she found them angery. " What's wrong? What's wrong?" He spat scornfully. " You set me up. Making me be a medicine cat. Look if you don't love me than say so." He stood up and walked off disappearing in the shadows of the slowly setting sun. Coalfur tried to follow him but got waylayed by Saker. She stared into Coalfurs eyes and murmured, "Can we stay?" Coalfur tried to focuse on the conversation. "Can we stay?" Saker repeated. "With you, I mean. It's sounds like you got a good group of cats here and i like the idea of a clan." She paused and then meowed. "The tinny kit ,Owlglade, she explianed the whole gig. So can Mouth and I stay?" Coalfur nodded and purred. It'd be good to have this sensible she-cat in the clan. "Well then we'll ah have your ceremony in a couple of minutes. Mind you. " Coalfur cautioned. " You can't be Saker any more. I shall have to change your name. And you have to do as i say. No exceptions." Saker noded and trotted brightly way towards Mouth who was still listening to Owlglade blabber. Coalfur shook her head and sniggered. Then she put her mind to her earlier task. She trotted around till it was moon high but she couldn't find Blackheart. With a small sigh she lept on top of the tallest haybales and called to the clan. "Strayclan come here." Instantly Saker and Mouth emerged from the shadows followed by Owlglade who was still talking. Beardew and Freckelpelt padded form the oppistie corner. Following them was Winterthorn and Carrionclaw. And behind them was Nettletail, Frosttail and Quickblizzard. Mouseclaw lept down form a hay bale. There was no sign of Blackheart. With a flick of her tial Coalfur began. "Right today We lost one of our number." She allowed a small sigh sweep through the clan. "We regret this but on a happier note Saker and Mouth have offered to join us.." With a small cheer form the crowd the two cats stepped forward. "Mouth please come forward." The tom padded ahead of his sister. With a bound Coalfur was next to him. " Mouth do you promise to uphold the warrior code veen at the cost od your life?" The tom staggered slightly by her sudden question nodded. "Form now on you will be known as Molepine. THe clan welcomes you." A rauckus of noise blatted out his purrs. HE pressed his muzzle to her shoulder and she inturn licked his head. Molepine stepped back an allowed Saker to take his place. "Saker." Coalfur asked. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code even at the cost of your life?" Saker brimming with excitement and pride nodded. "Form now on you will be known as Heatherfur. The clan welcomes you." Saker repeated the ceremony with Coalfur and the Can erupted into yowls of. "Molepine Heatherfur. Molepine Heatherfur." Owlglade raced to Molepine and pshed her nose into his fur. Winterhorn followed and greeted Heatherfur. Coalfur tried to be happy but some how the feeling was lost at the absence of Blackheart. With a sudden spurt of ingenius Coalfur knew where he would be. The only place she didn't check. With a flick of her ears at Carrionclaw she raced down the ladder and through the hole. She raced around the side of the barn and striat into a small fight. Graystone had pinned Blackheart down and was growling words into his ear. Blackheart was trying to squirm free. Apparently the words were making him uncomfortable. Coalfur let out a caturwal and landed squarely on Graystone's shaggy shoudlers. He rolled over and fled not bothering to take on two cats. Coalfur slowly help Blackheart up. SHe gazed worriedly in his eyes. With sudden unexplianed anger she yowled into his face. "DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS?" she lowered her voice to a hiss. "Do you know rigth after you told me you love me i found an excuse to love to too? Did you even bother to ask if i had a plan? Do you know that Saker and Mouth are part of the clan? No you don't because youre to mousebrained to stick around and find out. Oh and you nearly got yourself killed. That's just peachy." With a hrumph Caolfur twisted around and trotted back towards the hole. But she didn't get far before Blackheart stopped her. He planted himself firmly in her way and pushed his muzzle into hers. "Do you know how worried i was," He murmued . "when i left for the first time? Or when i came back and you didn't reconize me? Howa 'bout when I told you i loved you? Did you know that they almost killed me in Thunderclan or that the she-cat Rosefur was padding after me even thouh i was a medicine cat? Or that the only thing i could think about the whole time was you. And you nearly left with out me." Coalfur shuddered and wound her tail into his. With a hiss and a yowl Five cats lept out of a nearby gorse bush. Graystone landed on Blackheart and pinned him down. Coalfur tried to attack him but was cut of by the four advanceing cats. As she opened her mouth to yowl tey jumped on top of her and forced her to the groud. Coalfur was helpless.

[coalfur]

Coalfur shudderd trying to dislodge her attackers. It didn't work. Graystone flicked his tail. "Ravenwing." He called from Blackhearts back. "Go inside and tell them to come out." A blacktom slid off her and trotted to the hole. Coalfur couldn't hear what he said but the entier clna son came down jumping through the hole with such ease that it could only come naturally. THe stopped sort when they realized who they had caught. The medicine cat and a leader. Two of the three most important cats in the clan. Ravenwind reasummed his post on Coalfur's foot. Her clan out numbered the patrol but they would never risk her life. She flicked out her claws and scratched a white she-cat's bum. The she-cat lept yowled and cause a distraction. Not a big distraction but enough to put Coalfur's plan into action. Useing her free paw she clawed at Ravenwings eyes and put her tail the brown tom sitting on another paw. With two cats blind and another trying to see her own bum Strayclan attacked. Carrionclaw ripped Graystone from Blackheart's shoulders and they tumbled togeher. Freckelpelt tried to join the fight but Beardew held her back. He and Winterthorn protected the kits form the tussles all around them. Nettletail was battleing the white she-cat with Heatherfurs help. Quickblizzard and Mouseclaw was attacking the brown tom. Molepine was clawing a silver she-cats ear with Blackhearts help. Coalfur was left with Ravenwing. She gazed at him and he gazed back fear evedent in his blue eyes. Coalfur growled at him and he turnned and fled. With a snort she bounded towards Carrionclaw who was struggling under Graystone. With a yowl she landed on top of him. She didn't bother to sheath her claws. She was done with him. Three no four times he had tried to kil her clanmates and one of them was her mate. He gazed at he and even though his eyes brunned with hate she saw a trace of love. But her heart hardened. THe love was not love. She glared at him and ripped her clas across his tail. He yowled with pain but didn't fight back. Again and agian she raked her claws and each time he did nothing. With a final scartch his tail fell completly off. Caolfur jerked back with surprise. Instantly Graystone yowled. "Riverclan retreat." And they obeyed. Each squirming out of Strayclans reach. Coalfur sniggered. She turnned to see her cats crowding around her each puring his or her worries, exuberece, loyaltie and friendship. Blackheart was the closest. "Blackheart and I are going to be mates." she called over the loud purrs. It instantly silenced. A voice muttered, "It's about time." And the tension broke with small purrs from the surrounding cats. But then Quickblizzard spoke. "Yuu can't. "He meowed flatly. "It's agianst the warrior code." But Coalfur shook her head. "Yes you are right, Quickblizzard but I've found an excuse. We need more blood in this clan. And what is better then having Blackheart and I mate." But." Carrionclaw murmured. "Quickblizzard is free." Before Coalfur could answer Mouseclaw meowed ."No he is not. I'm claiming him as my mate." Quickblizzard purred and pressed himself against her winding his tail with hers. Wiht a small roll of her eyes Coalfur turned her eyes to Nettletail who should be the strongest oposed to the idea. Instead she was nodding her head. THey cats padded back into the barn and Blackheart began to adress their wounds. Mouseclaw had a gash on her side and Quickblizzard had lost a lotof blodd but they were going to be fine. Three time Blackheart tried to treat her own wounds but Coalfur sent him away. When he was finally done treating even Owlglade who had fallen down the ladder she allowed him to treat her wounds. A small cut across her nose form being tackled awas all there was. She left him there by the nest they had begun to share and padded to fetchsome fresh kill. Mouseclaw and Quickblizzard had hunted well. Each cat got two mice that night. Good thing too. Because in the mourning they were going on a journey.

Coalfur dreamed for the firist time that night. She was in her barn but there were no cats ith her. Instead a small kit, a brown tom, two silver she-cats, a red tom, a white she-cat, two black toms her mother Darkfur and her sister Nightfox . With a happy purr Coalfur bounded to Nightfox and Darkfur and touched noese with them. The red tom padded forward and touched noses with her too. "My name," he murmured. "Foxwing. I am your father." Coalfur purred harder as hse met her father for the first time. But then the atmosphire turnned serious as the kit who Coalfur reconized as Lost padded forward. "Welcome Coalfur." she meowed. "Let me tell you what's going on. You and your clan are about to leave the Starclan area so they can not follow. But i sought out those who would be willing to start a new Starclan. These are the vouleenters. Your entire family." The two silver she-cats padded forward. "These cats are Quickblizzards mother and sister. They are Streamwing and Brookfur." Each she-cat dipped her head and padded back into line as the brown tom padded forward. "THis,"Lost continued . "is Branchheart. He is Carrionclaw's uncle." Branchheart dipped his head and stepped back as the white she-cat apdded up. "THis is Snowyfur, Winterthorn's kit. SHe died very recently in a snowstorm. "The two black toms padded forward. "Now these two are Bearfur and Bouncefoot. THey have no relation to you or anyone in the Clan but they didn't want to be in Starclan anymore. ANd my name is not Lost because i'm not lost i'm right here. My name is Bramblefur." Bramblefur dipped his ehad and allowed Foxwing to step forward. "We are going to bring your clan mates here because some don't really belive in Starclan. THey will witness your life giving. Because they need to believe and you need your nine lives." With a single pop every cat appeared in the clan. Each riased their head and blinked. Carrionclaw cried out when he saw Bramblefur, Snowyfur and Branchheart. Each cat explianed who they were and what they were doing here. And all eyes turnned to Coalfur. She dipped her head to greet them. Foxwing padded forward first. "With this life I give you courage to lead and defend your clan in your jouney." He bent his head and touched noses with her. A spasm of pain hit her and she writhed trying to break free. Soon it was over leaving her gasping and panting. With horrer she realized that every life would be like this. Snownyfur padded forward next. "With this life i give you endurance so that you can brave what ever hardships you come by on your journey." They touched noses and a frezzing hill wraped itself around Coalfur. She saw snow and bnches of snow. When Snowyfur broke off Coalfur realized sge had seen the last momoent of Snowyfurs life. To replace Snowyfur padded Nightfox. "With this life i give you hope. Ues it well on your journey." Her sister bent her head and even though Coalfur knew this would hurt she eagerly let the life wash over her. Bramblefur stepped forward next. "Withtis life I give you love. Use it to bring kits up well even if they aren't your own." They touched noses another spasm. Branchheart padded forward. "With this ife i give you mentoring. Use it to teach any cat you have the pleasure to teach." Another spasm washed away Coalfurs last one as they touched noses. DArkfur replaced him. "With this life i give you tireless energy. Use it to guide your calnthrough hard times so that you may be the first to battle and the last to take fresh kill." Touch noses. Spasm. Gone. Coalfur felt numb. Streamwing trotted forward. "With this life I give you Faith. Faith in your warriors your self and in us." A lulling spasm this time. Coalfur relaxed. It felt good. Bouncefoot replaced her."With this life i give you compassion for the oldest elder to the youngest kit. It will help you guide yor clan." THe last cat to give her a life was Brookfur. "With this lfe i give you nobility justice smapthy and understanding." Coalfur accepted the life and every thing went black.

With a small gasp she woke up. Her heart was racing and she was tried. She ached al over bbut the memoray of Her starclan whizzed through her head. Beside her the entire Strayclan cats were stiring. Blackheart gently licked her ear as the other cats padded up to her. She dipped her ehad to each of them as the sat layied or stood by her. "So now we must call you Coalstar." Carrionclaw purred. "Welcome to the clan Coalstar." Coalstar started to purr but it sent so much pain through her body she almost blacked out. " We can't leave today." she murmured. "I am ahh to tired. We must leave tomorrow. Heatherfur take over Nettletail's trianing today. CArrioncalw will assign you jobs. I must rest." With a painful sigh and a blink she turned her back on the company and curled into a ball tucking her nose under her tail. She fell asleep hearing Carrionclaw issue orders and Blackheart rythmicly rasping his tongue ver his light gray. A memory hit her the instant before she fell asleep. She was in the nursery right before She was becoming an apprentice. Blackheart was grooming her to make her shine. Nightfox hadn't wanted his help. She remembered him meowing how he like her lgither ear better then her darker one. Joking that it was the only thing good about her and the rest was evil. Coalstar fell asleep to that happy memory. THe day ran smoothly. No sign of Graystone and his cronies and the prey was running well in both the barn and outside. Coalstar was not bothered and Blackheart never moved fromher side. She ateat regular time waking but saving her strenth. She had too because of the journey they would take tomorrow.

Staryclan
Leader:Coalstar-black she-cat
Deputy: Carrionclaw-brown tom
Medicine cat:Blackheart-black tom
Warriors:Quickblizzard-white tom
Heatherfur-tan she-cat
Molepine-brown tom
Apprentices:Nettletail-tiny black she-cat Mentor:Coalstar
Beardew-black tom Mentor:Quickblizzard
Mouseclaw-gray she-cat Mentor:Carrionclaw
Queens:Winterthorn
Kits:Freckelpelt-brown she-cat with white flecks Parents: Carrionclaw Winterthorn
Frosttail-white tom Parents:Carrionclaw Winterthorn
Owlglade-tan she-cat Parents: CArrionclaw Winterthorn

Starclan
Bramblefur-brown she-kit
Nightfox-black and red she-cat
Darkfur-black she-cat
Foxwing-red tom
Brookfur-silver she-cat
Streamwing-silver she-cat
Branchheart-brown tom
Snowyfur-white she-cat
Bearfur-black tom
Bouncefoot-black tom

[coalfur]

Coalstar woke early the next day. With a swift flick across the ears she woke Nettletail. Both she-cats padded out side. Coalstar led the way towards the gorse. Scenting the air she smelled at least two rqbbits huddling in the very center. Circling around the two she-cats sprang in to the bush competly surpriseing the sleeping rabbits. THey sprang in different directions but both she-cats managed to catch two rabbits each. Dragging the kills behind them they made their way back to the barn. Just before Nettletail padded inside she stopped and peered at her mother. "Well?" she asked promptly. "What's goign to happen now?" Coalstar's blank look must have given her a hint so she continued to explian. "About Blackheart? And Graystone? You know that he still wants you as a mate." Coalstar avoided her eyes but answered the question. "Oh i don't know Nettletail." She whimpered. "I wanted Blackheart as a mate for a long time i justdidn't realize it. And now Graystone seems to want me but i dont. I don't know what to do and frankly i don't care. Graystone won't persue us as far as our new home and then we'll be free." NEttletail opened her mouth again but Coalsar pushed past her and into the barn. Blackheart and Winterthorn were awake and talking quietly to each other. Blackheart pured when he saw her and rubbed his muzzle agianst hers. Winterthorn touched noses with Coalstar. THey sat next to each other and began to devour a rabbit. NEttletail padded around and woke the sleeping cats. Around each rabbit was a group of four or five cats. It was a good thing. Coalstar finished her rabbit and stood up. "Okay heres what going on." she annocned to Strayclan.