[ti]Private[/ti]A journey like no other

[Miss Tactical]

The brown tabby had been sleeping all day, closely to Mumblesong. His nose gently rested near her flank. There was something soothing against the rise and fall of her flank that put Mudjaw at ease. He blinked slowly as the sun began to set, and there was no moon in the sky. The only light they had was from the stars, everything else was incredibly dark. He looked down at the sleeping she-cat his eyes soft. Good byes were hard for him, he didn’t know how this other clan would act at all, he didn’t even know if he could come back alive, so the brown tabby decided a subtly good bye was best. He gave the she-cat a gentle nose between the ears, doing his best not to wake her, and padded ever so carefully into the clearing.

Those who had night guard and night patrols hadn’t taken off yet, instead they gathered, a serious expression on their faces. This was an incredible honor, to represent IvyClan in such a strenuous task…he took in a nervous gulp, his amber eyes trailing to Larkbeat and Bettlepaw. In a bundle of leaves laid many herbs, most he had seen before. He knew that one bundle for him, the other for Rookheart. Over the past quarter moon, he had gotten to know the tom, after all they could be traveling for moons together, and it would be best to get to know him. The other cats would have to work together if this was to work.

With reluctancey the brown tabby tom ate the travelling herbs. He didn’t know when they would be stopping to rest or eat even, nor did he know how far away exactly this other clan was. All he knew was that they were meeting at the top of MistClans territory. Hopefully they would all be able to come up with a plan that would work. He turned his large frame to face Owlstar and Roseblaze, his eyes burning with determination. “We will come back….” He mewed. “I promise…tell…Tell Mumblesong to be safe.” He closed his eyes tightly, he had to come home, if not for him, but for her and the safety of IvyClan.

Without looking back he pushed himself through the camp entrance, it was now or never. The more he dwelled on leaving, the less he wanted to go, and he wasn’t about to let his leader down. With all the warriors she could have picked, it was him, and that to the young warrior went a long way. The walk to Mistclan was a quiet one. Perhaps Rookheart was also deep in thought about the journey. Mudjaws mind was racing a mile a minute. He didn’t know what to think about it. Perhaps they would all come back without a scratch, but he doubted it.

His thoughts were interrupted by the croaking of frogs, and the overwhelming scent of Mistclan. Had he just crossed the border without even knowing? He took in a deep breath at least MistClan knew everyone was coming. He sat at the top of the hill looking around, frogs croaked, crickets chirped, and the only light they had was the light of the stars. He shifted uncomfortably on his paws, it was too late to turn back now. Soon MistClan would be here, and soon MothClan. He felt a bitter taste in his mouth, starting to be unsure of the situation. There had really been no debating, just a unison agreement that this had to be done. “Now we wait….” He whispered. Tonight was the beginning of a new time, and the end to an old one.

[silverfang218]

Sootheart trots towards the meeting point, a package of herbs courtesy of Silverfang and Frostpaw; he had popped in to bid the MistClan medicine cat goodbye, while telling his former apprentice to take care of the older silver she-cat. Silver had informed him of the message he was to take to the new ‘clan’ last night, so there was nothing to say except a quick farewell. He waits impatiently to be joined by Swanfur, and once they start towards the meeting point, Sootheart will try to set a good pace.

Once they near the meeting point set at the Gathering, Soot isn’t too surprised as he catches the scent of IvyClan warriors. They often seem to be fashionably early to important things. He nods in greeting to both Rookheart and Mudjaw, dropping the small pack of herbs on the ground as he plops to wait for MothClan. His snowy tail curls around his paws as he glances at Swanfur; Soot isn’t one for introductions or conversation… or social interaction as a whole, to be completely honest.

[Ringtail]

Swanfur padded along behind Sootheart, her own little package of herbs, thanks to Silverfang, of course, in her mouth. She could not believe that Sabletail would allow her to go on something so..important. The she cat wasn't really up fot the trip, havinh complained to Sable that she would have rather stay at home and not expose her white fur to the elements. That being said, there was no word around, for she was chosen to go anyway. Her head was down as she padded behind Sootheart, making a rather grumpy grimble with her teeth. She did however, felt the excitement that would go through anyone else, because, a new clan! This new clan could maybe be a new start for her, having overheard her father saying something about..What was it..Ivyclan? Bleh! Why even go there?! She wihed her father wouldn't go, but knowing him, he'd follow his head heart whereever he went.

Having arrived at the meeting place with the other cats, Swanfur took the time to place her herb package down. "Finally I can talk properly!" She gasped, before deciding to look at her new companions, besides Sootheart. She took note of Rookheart; a tuxedo tom and Mudjaw, a tabby tom. She flicked her nose up, very much the prissy daddy's girl she is. The idea of Ivyclan taking her dad from her very claws, clearly upset her. So no introductions from her either, clearly ticked off about Ivyclan.

[mewmehh]

Long, whipping grass fronds lashed her soft sides as a small cat moved with a hurried pace in the darkness. The grace of night worked well to hide her lustrous pelt beneath it's inky depths as even shadows found themselves drowning in the moonless gloom. Vibrant eyes like jade flashed as pale whiskers swished with a quick twitch of a nose, and after a moment of deduction, it was determined Petalpaw was on the track of the journeying cats.

The voice of her father's announcement hadn't once left her ears as the creamy red she-cat played what Sabletail had said half a moon ago back in her head. Cats from all three clans would be making a trip up the river to find the supposed fourth clan that Silverfang had dreamt about. It was all so silly, dreams of dead cats and fate. Petalpaw would praise to Starclan that she wasn't stuck being a Medicine Cat apprentice, but what would be the purpose? She was gonna be a warrior- what use would dead cat's be to her? But the idea of leaving the territories ro see whay lay beyond- that was what being a warrior was all about! How could she miss out on such an event? And how clever she had been- even Featherpaw likely hadn't thought to join them like Petalpaw had!!

There were a number of reasons why she was doing it; perhaps it was a result of how little she seemed to be getting from her lackluster training with her mentor, or maybe it was how her father seemed to look at the white she-cat chosen to attend the journey which made the creamy apprentice's pelt itch. Or perhaps it was simply for the thrill of adventure that had caught Petalpaw's tastes. One certainly couldn't know the wily girl's definite reason, but it was simple enough to narrow it down to one plain fact; she wanted to go. So she was.

Creeping to a halt in the talk reed lining the underfamiliar edge of the river, making sure to apply what she had learned to conceal herself; settling upwind of the accumulating cats and making sure to both avoid rustling the reeds and slipping into the water. Now all she had to do was lie in wait. Luckily for her, the place smelled strongly of Mistclan and everyone's nerves were likely bound too right for anyone to think anything of her scent mingling faintly among it.

---

Wanted to hold off on making my post until all the other members had, but oh well. Petalpaw is sneaking her way into the group and shouldn't be found until it's too late to send her back home. Just a little head's up ^^'

[KingHarry]

Walking in silence, Rookheart could not help but think about the possible ramifications of their task. If they did find another clan, then what? Friendship? War? If war, it would be six against an entire clan if they could not flee quickly enough. What if they never returned? Would his family miss him? Would his father be proud of his sacrifice? 

Mudjaw was an acceptable companion for the journey. The slightly older tom was a little brash, yes, but he was a good warrior. If they ran into trouble, Rookheart could that he could depend on him. He wondered who MistClan would have sent. MothClan was sending Pouncefox and Bleakbelly, if he remembered correctly - neither of which he had ever particularly spoken to, though he knew that Bleakbelly had come from the same litter as Mothstar. Didn't that make him rather old? Hm. Rookheart hoped that he would be up for the journey.

Swanfur and Sootheart soon came into view. Again, he didn't particularly know either of them. Sootheart was older than him, right? Making him the youngest on the journey. That was fine - he was no shaking kit, and he knew that he could complete the task that had been given to him.

"Hello," the young warrior greeted. "We seem to be just waiting for MothClan's warriors to arrive now. Odd, that. You would think that, as Mothstar suggested this trip, they would be the first to arrive, no?" Perhaps Bleakbelly was keeping them up. Rookheart certainly hoped not, though. While he was happy to slow his pace a little, it would seem counterproductive to amble along like elders if they had a long way to travel.

Hm. Perhaps it would be best to make conversation while the waited? Yes... Yes, that seemed like a good idea. If they bonded a little, then the journey might be easier.

"So," Rookheart began. "Are you nervous?"

[karambito]

Pouncefox

Unable to track down Bleakbelly and trying to avoid the worried good lucks from his own brother, Pouncefox dipped into the medicine cat den to pick up his share of Journey Herbs. Grabbing them quickly, he high tailed it out of there without even a goodbye or thank you. That was, until he got to the Mothclan entrance.

Sighing heavily, Pouncefox tried to gently kick off Antkit, his son, who was trying to clamber up on top of him. "Take me with!" The young tom pleaded, his fur sticking out as he gazed onto his father. "No, now go back to your mother" Pouncefox roughly nudged the large tom away as he exited the clan camp, agitated already. He was going to be late and it was all THEIR faults! He needed to be there to lead and keep control of the other clan cats he was bringing along.

Not waiting for Bleakbelly, the long-furred red tom headed out to the meeting spot, herbs in his jaws. His tail was high with confidence as the other cats came into view. He did not let his annoyance from earlier show, nor did he let himself get too giddy. Dipping his head to the others, Pouncefox placed his herb bundle on the ground, licking his jaws at the bitter taste they left in his mouth from the transport. "Good morning" The warrior greeted, a wry smirk falling upon his features as he took in each cat that was coming along. Not the best in his opinion but...eh they would do if push came to shove.

"Are we all set? We will be heading uphill up the river so the more sunlight we have the better" Meowed the Mothclan warrior, a hint of impatience in his voice.

[Miss Tactical]

ooc: Pushing this along I mentioned Bleakbelly arrived


With the arrival of others, he could see the sunrise touching the sky, the rays of oranges and reds touching clouds created an oddly relaxing view granted now was no time for such things. The familiar scents of MistClan hit his nose and he saw Swanfur and Sootheart. He had seem them once or twice at a gathering, but never really got to know them. When Swanfur turned her nose up at the sight of IvyClan he narrowed his eyes slightly. "Don't act like you are perfect, farm from it..." He had whitnessed her prissy sass on more than one occasion he wasn't quite sure why MistClan cats were like that, she looked like the type of cat who would cry at the sight of dirt and quite frankly he didn't have the time, or patience for that type of shananigens he had to get back to Mumblesong.

Before he left, the mostly black she-cat had asked if he would be in her future, and he decided that the she-cat whom he had a crush on for quite some time, was now his mate and he needed to get home to her sooner than later. that being said, when MothClan finally arrived the antsy tom was quick to his paws ready to start heading up the river, the sooner they found this so called mysterious group which the body came from, the sooner they would be able to go home, and the sooner they would be able to move on knowing that their task was complete.

He had seen Pouncefox once or twice as well, they seemed to be quite the same. Perhaps it was because MothClan was a mixture of Ivy, Mist and some rogues and loners. He tilted his head to the side, the pushy tom was also ready to go, he didn't need a second word he was ready to go too. Behind him in the distance he saw Bleakbelly. He was certainly older than the entire group and he was concerned about being slowed down. "Well gangs all here let's not wait another minute." The tom put down his herbs, licking them up. The bitterness hit his tongue and he made a hard scowl, begrudgingly consuming them. They weren't the most pleasant thing ever but they would be traveling for quite some time. They didn't know how far, or where they were going really.

"Let's go the sunlight is breaking now, plenty of sunlight to guide us until dusk when we rest." he mewed. He pushed ahead of the group, time was of the essence of course. The brown tabby swiveled his ears when Rookheart asked if he was nervous. His amber eyes locked onto the black tuxedos time carefully formulating a response. "Aren't you?" The tom mewed. At this point the sky was lit up, a light mist due to the water surrounded them. He could hear the croak of a lonely frog occasionally as the group pushed ahead. They had many hours to go before they would break. Who knew what kind of perils they would meet along the way, and that alone made the tom nervous.

[Ringtail]

"Oh I know I'm far from perfect..Ivyclan scum." She hissed, clearly upset because of her father. Of course, who would know as she joined the others to get ready to go. Picking up her herb package, she lowered her head, deciding to keep her mouth shut for the beginning of this journey. Starclan only knew how ticked she was. Stepping aside from a mud puddle, the snow white cat, went next to Sootheart, her ears lowered as she seemed to dress herself in her own anger and silence. Hopefully, the journey would give her something to keep her distracted, as these would be her new companions for the next few moons perhaps. She skipped around an ant pile, holding her prissy head up. How disgusting. Insects, dirt, mud, and perils only lurked in the shadows l, and she hoped that they're travel was going to be quick. She wanted to talk to Sabletail about what was on her mind. She didn't understand why Rushfeather left, but maybe someone to calm her down could explain. She honestly didn't care for her father's reasonings, but she did want answers. She glanced at the group of cats, both, Ivy, Moth and Mist. On a hunt to find whatever new clan was out there. Hopefully they were friendly.

[LupTacco]

Bleakbelly took his time in leaving. The Mothstar family was large and often busy, so rather than attempt to track each and every one down, he paused by the apprentice's den to give a stern nod to his brothers newest and likely final litter and stopped in the elder's den to share a quiet meal with his nephew Boarspark. "Hopefully I'll get some stories worth telling," he mumbled amiably as he departed for Cedarleap's den for whatever bitter concoction he'd be expected to swallow. Unlike with the others, he was insisted to eat them then and there due to a history of avoiding medicinal treatment(even so, he did manage to slide a couple of the most bitter leaves aside).

Licking his chops and grumbling about the time, Bleakbelly departed without a final look back. If anyone could keep a tight ship it was his brother, and perhaps he'd been too harsh on the deputy. If my nest is taken up by some rowdy warrior they'll have worse troubles than a couple dawn patrols, the old tom huffed to himself, moving at a comfortable pace. He's preserve his speed for the actual journey.

Spotting the tail of his clanmate Pouncefox, he gave a coarse meow of greeting. "Everyone excited? I know I'm just overjoyed to be traveling with a girl who can't be bothered to get over herself once in a while and a warrior so bold as to have almost died twice before his second new-leaf," Bleakbelly flicked his tail dismissively, "I don't know wether to admire how hard-headed you both are or give you both a good swipe. But that can wait. We've got a bit of a walk ahead, eh? No need to waste our breath talking about whose dad is where or whatever."

[silverfang218]

Sootheart gently brushes against Swanfur’s side with his tail, hoping to calm her just a tad or at the very least stop her from continuing to snap at the IvyClan warriors. They’ll all likely be companions for the foreseeable future, and it doesn’t take a genius to know that the foreseeable future will be much more pleasant if they could set aside clan rivalries and grievances with the other clans. He personally doesn’t want to walk only StarClan knows how far with Swanfur and the IvyClan warriors bickering back and forth.

As Mudjaw gets the party started, Sootheart devours his package of traveling herbs and starts after him. He snorts softly as Mudjaw turns Rookheart’s question back around on him, and Bleakbelly’s comment actually makes the snowy warrior chuckle. Soot would have to agree with Bleak on this one.