[ti]Private[/ti]Serving a Purpose

[Storm]

Batstrike
MothClan | Warrior Temp. Deputy | Tom | 22 Moons | Heterosexual

Batstrike hadn't dwelled long outside.  There was no reason to, no honor in claiming a temporary position as deputy while MothClans leader was stolen away by twoleg monsters.  His heart was still swirling inside; danger in his clans lands, a great cat missing, his concern for his former apprentice prone to risk-taking.  There was a numbness now though, it was what had kept his composure in check.  That feeling had hit him the second the clans eyes had turned to him after his name was called, it had removed all the fear and surprise from his face and now it helped him follow the deputy into the leaders den.  The black and white feline strode in to meet Eveningblaze on the floor of the den, his tail thrashing clearly this was difficult for the tom. 

The two had never had a solid relationship, Batstrike never openly questioned the deputy's decisions but he was sure the tom had noticed his distaste before.  Batstrike had always bragged to his apprentice on how MothClan survived in the worst territories because they were the hardiest clan, but this leaf-bare they acted fearfully- pushed borders for prey.  It was so the clan wouldn't have to go through hardship, but it still felt wrong.  That was probably why Eveningblaze was the deputy and not him, he had the strength to make MothClan life better no matter how it affect the other clans, but now Batstrike would have to be strong.  Strong for Brackenstar and his clan.  He was surprised he was the deputy's pick, but he wouldn't question him now.  He pushed away the hazy dread clouding him and decided he'd show Eveningblaze why he had made the right choice.  

His yellow eyes blazed as he addressed the tom now in charge.  He would take action immediately however Eveningblaze needed him too.  "Tell me what you need me to do."  Batstrikes voice was strong, the confidence Brackenstar always praised him for ringing through.  He'd never thought he'd be here to bare the burden of supporting MothClan through this crisis however he was told to.  His loyalty had come a long way since he first stepped foot here, MothClan had won him over as his family here grew.  The connection here were like blood to him and he'd serve them the best he could so Brackenstar would be proud when he came back.  So Pinetuft, Shadowstorm and Cherryhawk would all be proud.  Batstrike stood tall, ears forward and attention focused.  

[Miss Tactical]

The black tom was aware of Batstrike before he even made his presence known. He had come here to think alone quite honestly. He would go to the warriors den where he belong later when it was time to rest, but for now he sat in his friends den thinking rapidly, his mind going over a million and one different scenarios that could possibly happen not only at the gathering in a few days, but to his leader. He mumbled a few words to himself meeting the young warriors gaze with his fierce eyes. His tail tip twitched in greeting, but then a dry silence fell over them. He wasn’t really sure WHAT he needed Batstrike to do. First in foremost he was certain everyone was worried. Their new leader was whisked away to StarClan knows where, he had pushed the borders for expanded hunting grounds to make sure they didn’t starve this leaf-bare. He was certain Owlstar and Bearstar would be absolutely thrilled with him…MothClan in general.

”Organize patrols as I would, morning, sun high, and right before sun down. Divvy up the best hunters on each so they get plenty of rest in-between. Unfortunately, I need more bodies on the patrol At least three on each. Older apprentices are okay but I’d prefer the younger ones to stay close to camp and our training grounds only. He mewed firmly. The thought of any of his other kits getting taken was a bit hard to fathom. He would do his best to protect them. New apprentices were always curious little things, still kit like in nature until disciplined by their mentors, they would be the ones to run after something new and odd. That’s the last thing he wanted.

He peered out into the bustling of camp, apprentices running around, the prey pile still sparse despite their extra hunting grounds and of course outsiders to feed…..outsiders…yes that could work! He didn’t like the idea of working with Cherryhawks grand find but if she had come from the two-leg place she might know where they were keeping Brackenstar and Susanpaw. ”Bring me Rose….Rosepaw. After the gathering I am going to go to the two-leg place to try and find Brackenstar. It will be your task to make sure the clan doesn’t fall to pieces while I am away. I will be bringing a couple of cats with me once I figure out who is best suited for the task. He mewed firmly. He wasn’t quite sure who to bring a few cats crossed his mind his eyes fell on Bellfeather, the one cat he trusted the most out of all of MothClan perhaps she would be up for a rescue mission.

[Storm]

Batstrike
MothClan | Warrior Temp. Deputy | Tom | 22 Moons | Heterosexual

The lean tom nodded in acknowledgment, "I can do that."  His own lack in hunting skill helped him out here, he always asked the best hunters to accompany him when he went out so they could point him in the right direction.  Batstrike at least knew the best cats to send out, he'd do his best not to work them to death.  Finding volunteers to play watchdog might be a little difficult, surely cats would be hesitant to go wandering around trying to spot monster traps before they got snatched up.  He'd figure it out though, he'd go himself as many times as needed if he had to.  It would be like his days as an apprentice all over again, Shadowstorm training him multiple times a day.  Apprentices were a concern for him though.  He really only knew his own and even at nine moons she still wasn't nearly mature enough to handle a task like that, she'd be gobbled up for lack of attention.  The tom would have to go around and ask the mentors who they really felt could be trusted on dangerous patrols.  

Batstrike offered a sorrowful smile to the tom, he had promised to bring Brackenstar home and he was already working on a plan to do so.  He knew he'd bring home their leader but it would be a difficult task.  Eveningblaze was just as cunning as himself though, he'd get the job done.  Using Rosepaw would be wise... as long as she could still be trusted now that she knew how difficult her new clan life was going to be.  The feline turned to exit the den, "Of course..." he coed before hesitating at the entrance.  Eveningblaze was probably feeling an extraordinary amount of pressure suddenly to lead and bring back the lost.  Batstrike wouldn't normally sympathize with someone he wasn't close to, but he felt it was necessary now.  The tom rolled his head over his scarred shoulder blade to look at the black cat with a soft face, "I know you'll let me know if you need anything or want something changed but... If you just want to talk too, I'll listen." One of his own kits was missing, it was the least he could do as a decent clanmate.  With that he turned and offered a twitch of his white tail tip.

Padding out the tom didn't feel the need to call for Rosepaw, he knew where she'd be.  He scanned for Cherryhawks pelt and trotted off to meet the young mentor with her apprentice.  He gathered himself with a breath, hoping Cherryhawk would let him steal her new friend away without to much fuss.  He was sure she'd be excited to ask him about everything that was happening, curious for more, but it would have to wait.  "Rosepaw," he mewed with a half-hearted smile, "Eveningblaze needs you, come with me."

[mewmehh]

The curly red she-cat's head snapped up from where she had been murmuring with her mentor. The severity of the situation hadn't been lost on Rosepaw and the former loner had immediately felt a shared sense of dread for the missing Mothclan cats as well as the unified determination for bring them back. Despite Eveningblaze's hesitancy regarding her, Rosepaw already revered the tom that was positioned as second-in-command and figured his abrasiveness was just a byproduct of the clan culture.

Hearing her new name, a little tingle of pride rippled in her belly, though she hurriedly buried it with the mountain of concern she dropped on top of it. Hopping up to greet the first Mothclan cat she had met besides Cherryhawk, Rosepaw dipped her head respectfully to Batstrike. "Of course!" She shot her mentor a sheepish, apologetic smile before padding after the black cat back to what she had learned was the leader's den. As they reached the structure, she took a sharp breath, likely a combination of nerves and the desire to learn all the new scents of her clan. Plunging inside, she settled her wobbly belly.

"You wanted to see me, Eveningblaze?"

[Miss Tactical]

Eveningblaze watched as Batstrike left the den and soon returned with rose…rosepaw. The name still had a sour taste in his mouth but this she-cat he would have to trust her in order to get his friend and leader home. He flicked his tail beckoning for both of them to sit. ”Have a seat please. He mewed firmly. After a few moments of pondering his words he gave both a curt nod. ”As you are aware, we have an unforeseen issue with two-legs. Brackenstar and a few other of our warriors are gone. It was Brackenstar who let the outsiders in, so really Brackenstar was roses’s ticket to even staying in MothClan. So far she seemed okay, but Eveningblaze’s distaste for outsiders was stronger.

”After the gathering this moon I am going to go find Brackenstar. I have no idea where he might be but I know he’s in the two-leg place SOMEWHERE. That is where you will come in Rosepaw. I’ve only been there once to find Ruststripe who was held captive by Rogues. There is an outsider named Poppy near the tracks. I don’t trust her either but she’s friends with MothCLan helps us when we need. I’ll have her come along too. He mewed firmly. He was aware that Poppy had helped Aspenscar, Stormwatcher and Hailstrike when they were just apprentices, she also had a run in with Brackenstar and Thunderbird just a few moons ago. She wasn’t a bother, weak little thing, but was helpful despite all she had been through.

It would be his job to lead them to the gathering, that much he had to do, Brackenstar would just have to put up a fight. ”Batstrike will hold MothClan down while I’m away. I think I will take Darkstorm with me, Tansysong too and… He looked towards the older apprentices many ready to prove themselves as warriors, dedicated to MothClan. He lifted his gaze and locked eyes with a few of them, this would be a dangerous task normally he wouldn’t have hesitated but to bring an apprentice along would be dangerous. ” Eggpaw and perhaps Birchpaw. This is still up in the air but we don’t know what we will face over there so more bodies is both a risk and an advantage. So Batstrike make sure patrols head out away from the tracks, that’s where most of the traps are. My patrol will leave at Sunrise two dawns after the gathering. Eveningblaze mewed firmly. ”Are there any questions? He asked. He wanted to make sure things were clear and went as smoothly as possible.

[Storm]

Batstrike
MothClan | Warrior Temp. Deputy | Tom | 22 Moons | Heterosexual

He lead the new comer back to the den quietly, allowing her to pass and enter before him.  Leaning back to his haunches the tom sat and curled his tail around his paws.  A stoic look held on his face as he listened to Eveningblaze speak.  Batstrikes ear twitched as he spoke of Poppy, he didn't trust her either... Ouch.  That was a shot at Rosepaw, it wouldn't have set well with him, but Rosepaw did still have to prove herself to the clan so what could she do?  He hoped the apprentice would let the comment go to avoid any issues.  

"I can do that," he mewed in response,"Things will go on as they always do so the other clans won't grow suspicious."  He nodded to the true deputy's selections; Darkstorm was trained by Eveningblaze himself and Tansysong was quite tactical, her caution would be useful too.  The feline was unsure of bringing the  younger cats though, "Bringing apprentices will be risky, but the other clans may notice if more of our warriors are away."  Batstrike glanced back over his shoulder to follow the toms gaze, he'd check up on the two apprentices he mentioned to ensure they were up for the mission.  He snapped back to the black tom with a soft breath out, "How long do you expect the mission to last?" His worries drained into his chest, so many things could go wrong.  The group could lose their way in the unfamiliar lands, be separated, captured, his brilliant yellow gaze flashed with concern with the thought of another threat.  "You'll have to watch for the rouge group too, they've quieted but won't take kindly to clanners in their land no matter the circumstances."  If anything went wrong... Brackenstar and their clanmates would be on their own.  The rescue mission ending in disaster would be a huge blow to MothClan, leaving the clan in the paws of the young black and white tom with no experience in leading.  Batstrike swallowed difficultly, he'd worry about having to send out another patrol to find this one on his own until everyone returned safely.