Old memories, New dispute

[karoia]

Taintedstar coolly walked up the sleek sandy rock that she often perched upon. The flat, sand-colored stone was her platform for announcements and ceremonies. And right now, she was requesting a ceremony.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here before the sandy rock for a Clan meeting!" Taintedstar yowled. Evening was settling in but there were still plenty of cats up and about.

The calico leader sighed, unable to compress it. She should have been doing this long ago, but it had been hard on her, mourning over the late Deputy... the proud Taintedstar hadn't let it show on the outside, but inside she had been shattered. The former Deputy had been her best friend as a kit, unknown to many. They continued their friendship all throughout the years. But the time to mourn was no more. Taintedstar's bright eyes blazed with ambition. She would move on and continue to lead OceanClan with all her might.

As her mood became chipper, she mused in her head with a catty smile. She wondered if Silverstripe was expecting this... she would make an excellent Deputy despite her young age. OceanClan would not disagree.


Taintedstar walked around the sandy beach of her territory. It hadn't been that long ago that she appointed Silverstripe. The she-cat was smart and ambitious, but sometimes Taintedstar pondered about her decision. Really though, her moods probably caused the negative thoughts. And the deputation that had happened moons ago was not important right now. The discussion of Big Claw Island was the issue... but she couldn't find Silverstripe. Not seeing the she-cat anywhere had triggered her somewhat sour mood. She hated not being able to find who she needed, and the stress of the feud over Big Claw Island was weighing on her shoulders like a mountain.

StarClan, it's hard to gain Big Claw Island... but we deserve it, and we will get it. Taintedstar spoke in her head, smiling to the skies at her ancestors. Were they watching her now? She trekked on through the camp.

[arrowfeather]

Silverstripe walked up to Taintedstar, her eyes straight foward. Her silver pelt was dull with a certain sheen as she walked below the clouds that StarClan had brought. "Taintedstar," she announced, stopping a little behind her. "I heard you were looking for me?" she asked, looking at the back of the leader's head. "Is the debate of Big claw Island the reason for calling my presence?" she asked, hating to use to word 'debate'. Big Claw Island was rightfully theirs and they would get it without unneccsary fighting.

[karoia]

Taintedstar whirled around, eyes bright. "Silverstripe, there you are." She said calmly. The long-haired she-cat looked around slowly to see what the Clan cats were doing before speaking further.

"Big Claw Island... yes, it's best to discuss that." Taintedstar began.

She held a calm expression but inside, she was slightly flustered. The dispute over Big Claw Island had been started when she was a mere kit, but now she was leading it. Who would've guessed? But it was worth it. Big Claw Island was partially on OceanClan's land. At least half of it was rightfully the Clan's. IslandClan would just argue there was no issue, and that the island had belonged to them since the beginning, but Taintedstar scoffed. They were simply greedy.

[/size]

[sunstream]

Dawnheart shook her head and looked at her surroundings fearfully before realising she was only looking out at the ocean. She sighed in relief and stood to see Taintedstar on the sandy platform where so many great leaders had stood before. She nodded, knowing there was a clan meeting to be held. She padded through into the camp and saw her kit holding a crab and proudly trotting to the fresh kill pile.
Dawnheart growled and motioned to the nursery as Sunkit started towards where the other cats gathered. " This is not for your ears yet Sunkit."
Sunkit let her ears droop in disappointment and nudged the limp crab. "I caught it myself though" She moaned
Dawnheart could not suppress the purr of pride but forced herself to nod towards the nursery yet again. Sunkit nodded back at her mother and walked back to the nursery, her tail swishing in annoyance.

[arrowfeather]

Silverstripe sighed and nodded. Her head looked up at the sky and thought, silently.

((I'm so sorry its short, but I have to go on a date in 30 min....))

[karoia]

Taintedstar sighed silently. She was tired, she had so much on her mind... she really should be worrying about apprentices and mentors... but the deal with Big Claw Island took up all her thoughts. Was that right, though?

Taintedstar looked to Silverstripe, "Do you agree that before we continue any plans with Big Claw Island, that we should deal with apprentices and mentors?"

Taintedstar instantly felt foolish. She was asking her deputy something she should know herself. Of course she should be dealing with that! If there were no apprentices and no mentors, there would be no more warriors... she had been so concerned with the dispute she had forgotten more important things.

[/size]

[sunstream]

Dawnheart gulped down the rest of her rising doubt and approached Taintedstar with determination practically dancing in her eyes. 'Sunkit caught her first prey today...' Dawnheart fought restlessly with herself on whether to mention it was a crab she had caught but kept her mouth firmly closed about it as if reluctant to lose her only kit. 'She has just passed 6 moons and is growing rapidly with each day...
Dawnheart cursed herself once again for losing her words and sounding like a fool but forgot about her planned speech and let the words she knew she would instantly regret tumble from her mouth. 'I think she is ready to become an apprentice and I should take on my warrior duties once more.' Dawnheart dropped her head as if ashamed of asking for her kit to go onto the next stage of her life.

[arrowfeather]

Silverstripe said nothing at the leader's comment, knowing that Taintedstar knew. She looked at the approaching Dawnheart, her eyes gleaming as Dawnheart told Taintedstar about her kit. The side of Silverstripe's mouth twitched. She could't believe that Sunkit had caught a piece of prey! And in leaf-bare!! Silverstripe had always liked the kits. "Congradulations," said Silverstripe, her voice smooth. "You must be very proud to have a kit such as Sunkit," she continued, smiling.

[karoia]

Taintedstar looked to Dawnheart, then to Sunkit. Her eyes were bright on her calm face.

"I suppose a ceremony is to take place, then." Taintedstar said with the slightest smile. Dawnheart was very proud of her kit, and it was time for the kit to become an apprentice.

[/size]

[swirled]

Cloud watched the scene with a calm face and a sparkle in her eye. She could only imagine the emotions she would feel if her Kit caught something for the first time.
She stood up and flicked a speck of sand off her back with her tail.

[arrowfeather]

Silverstripe couldn't help but beam. Their Clan needed more apprentices, but the ceremony would also signal the young Sunkit's training.

[karoia]

((I'm going to pretend the ceremony was preformed. I don't have time to actually do it ))