[ti]Open[/ti]It followed me home...

[gingersnapsdacat]

Rustpaw padded into camp, picking her way around scattered stones and branches. The rusty apprentice had led her new friend, the loner Striker, all the way to MothClan camp, eager to help him both cure his cough, and find his sister. Of course, she would have to explain that to the Clan.
Glancing back at him, she smiled confidently. 
"Well, this is home." 
QueenChaos

[QueenChaos]

He looked around in awe.
They were so civilized.
They had multiple dens, and cats were EVERYWHERE.
It was amazing.
At least, to his eyes it was.
His fur was still pricked, but his ears had raised back up.
Hopefully they would both accept him, and not yell at Rustpaw.
After all, it wasn't her fault she wanted to help.
"It's wonderful." He meowed at her.
She was smiling up at him, full of hope and confidence.
She was amazing, and so kind. After all, not everycat would just let some random loner into their clan.
his was special.
(Tags: gingersnapsdacat)
(Word count: 110)
(Time sent: 8:45am Central Time)

[KingHarry]

"Rustpaw, why exactly is there a stranger in our camp?"

Mothstar's voice rumbled like thunder as made his way across camp, his paws leaving huge imprints behind him in the freshly fallen snow. His eyes flashed with something dangerous - an unfathomable hatred for outsiders, perhaps? Or just a burning desire to protect his clan? After all, loners and rogues meant danger. Yes, Mothstar allowed them to join the clan, but that was only once he was certain that they were not bringing trouble. Besides, once the clan numbers had increased they wouldn't need to do that anymore. It was only a necessity right now due to the small population of MothClan in comparison to the other two clans.

His ears flat against his skull and his tail swishing violently from side to side, Mothstar hissed at the stranger. Whoever this cat was, he was confident that he could win a fight against him should it come to such a thing. He would not start a fight yet, though. Instead of wasting energy straight away, he would give the loner a chance to leave.

The leader's head suddenly snapped to the side so that he could glare directly at Rustpaw. "I'm disappointed in you." Mothstar declared. "If we had elders in this clan, I would make you care for them for the rest of your apprenticeship. Instead, once you've escorted your friend off MothClan territory, you will return to camp and you will not leave camp again without your mentor until further notice. Any exceptions will have to be approved of by either Smokegaze or myself. Is that understood, Rustpaw?"

[QueenChaos]

Striker's ears flattened when Mothstar hissed at him. But he stood his ground.
"Please sir, Rustpaw didn't mean anything. I asked her if I could come. It isn't her fault. If you should be mad at anyone be mad at me." He meowed. He stepped in front of Rustpaw, shielding her from Mothstar. His conscious was screaming at him, telling his to back off, but he ignored it.
He had to protect Rustpaw, even if it meat getting hurt or killed.
"i promise I mean no harm. I only wish to look for a relative of mine, and revitalize myself from this cough. I've been told you might have the cure?" He said. He made sure not to sound threatening, but to also sound strong. Maybe this cat was looking for a follower like that. Strong, but knows his place.
(Tags: gingersnapsdacat @kingharry)
(Word count: 152)
(Time sent: 11:39am Central Time)

[GnawingOnIce]

Cedarleap heard commotion outside her den. What could it be? She stood and stretched before hobbling out into the open. There was Mothstar, aggressively lashing his tail, scolding Rustpaw, a strange cat beside her. Cedarleap's ears twisted back, glaring at the unknown cat. She knew her legs didn't make her intimidating, but her attitude would.Who lets a strange cat into camp? Of course, unless she found them to be kind and trusting, she'd think they're just up to trouble.

[QueenChaos]

-Oh great, more cats...-
He flicked his ear to acknowledge the other cat.
"I assure you, I mean no harm. I only wish to find my sister, and possibly cure this cough." He repeated.
He chest racked with a cough, and he turned his face to the ground. He was hoping not to spread this disease, in case they hadn't found the cure.
He looked back into the large cat's eyes, hoping he wouldn't murder him.
His heart was beating like crazy, and he was surprised the other cat's couldn't hear it,
(Tags: Idk, whoever joins)
(Word count:105)
(Time sent: 5:30pm Central Time)

[Dofferz!]

The scent of a new cat reached the bengal female's nostrils, and Tawnystorm felt the fur begin to bristle along her spine. A couple quick and ravenous bites to finish off the last gulps of her mouse, the new warrior then shifted her gaze to the longer that Rustpaw had brought to camp. 'How foolish,' she couldn't help but think to herself with a sneer. She certainly wasn't that foolish! How mousebrained could Rustpaw be? Tawnystorm didn't speak, however, but instead kept her hard, green gaze steady on Striker, lips pulled back in a silent snarl.

---

Smudgekit, on the contrary, was a little more naive and accepting.

The tortoiseshell kit had been sitting in the nursery snuggled up next to her mother's tail when she could feels tensions begin to rise outside. But for what reason was that? She had surley never seen any cat before who wasn't a Mothclan warrior and clanmate of hers, so the prospect of a loner being led into the camp wasn't relevant in her mind.

The kitten let loose a tiny yawn, stretching her claws and spine before bouncing up onto her paws and poking her head outside of the nursery entrance. Oh look! There was her father, but something about the massive leader didn't seem too friendly. 'Well, he always looks like somebody made dirt in his freshkill.' she reminded herself, twisting her mouth as she focused on the reality. But that was besides the point for now, and a heartbeat later she was wiggling her way out of her home and troding closer to get an ear of the conversation going on.

"I'm disappointed in you." Mothstar declared. "If we had elders in this clan, I would make you care for them for the rest of your apprenticeship. Instead, once you've escorted your friend off MothClan territory, you will return to camp and you will not leave camp again without your mentor until further notice. Any exceptions will have to be approved of by either Smokegaze or myself. Is that understood, Rustpaw?"

Smudgekit gasped and frowned at Mothstar's words (although biased, seeing that that was the first of the conversation she had heard so far). That wasn't fair! Somebody besides Rustpaw would stick up for this cat! They had to! Her head whipped around, glancing at all of her frozen and staring clanmates, taken aback by their snarling lips and hostile movements. Was it really true that nobody would stand up for these cats?

"But Mothstar!" Smudgekit mewled, bounding forwards and standing pathetic between the massive hair and Rustpaw and Striker. "This is really... really mean!" she attempted to look ferocious as she 'spat' her words out. "That cat isn't mean like you are being, and... not mean and said is looking for somebody. You would want help too, right? And he said cough. The yucky red sickness is scary. It's really scary and he he got it we can help him now like Cedarleap helped brother Boarkit. How come if Boarkit deserves to live that this cat don't! He a cat too like ma' brother is and, and he.. he... yeah! So.. yeah!" and as a final declaration, Smudgekit stuck her tongue out slightly before turning to the loner. Her tail stuck straight in the air like a twig, but as soon as she did that she felt herself instantly regret speaking her words. Mothstar was, after all, her leader and father making his words like double the law, but it just wasn't fair in her opinion.

Her regret was obvious as Smudgekit felt herself shrink and pin her ears backwards. Lastly, after a brief moment of hesitation, she anxiously and slowly tossed a look over her shoulder to fixate her attention back on Mothstar. "I'm sorry.." the child mummered, biting her lip.

(inhales)

[GnawingOnIce]

"I assure you, I mean no harm. I only wish to find my sister, and possibly cure this cough." Cedarleap pricked her ears, her stern gaze faded away. What cough? Was it redcough? A sudden feeling of pity crept into her head, but she tried to shake it away. She saw Smudgekit bravely march up to mighty Mothstar, as if he was nothing to be scared of. She admired the small kit's bravery, but was worried when the kit shrank away, seeming to regret what she had said. "The yucky red sickness is scary. It's really scary and he he got it we can help him now like Cedarleap helped brother Boarkit. How come if Boarkit deserves to live that this cat don't!" Cedarleap warily took a few steps forward, hearing the kit's words, avoiding Mothstar by going around him, to try and get a better look at the cat.

He was thin, and small, and almost invisible red specks covered his chin. This concerned her. but she'd have to wait to see what Mothstar thought first... Or maybe it wouldn't hurt to say something. "Mothstar, this loner has redcough. I'd like to treat him, so he no longer has to endure the pain of it." She spoke calmly, not wanting anything to break out.

[QueenChaos]

Striker's eyes flew around. So many cold stares. He looked down at the small kit. This little one could do nothing, yet she tried. And the smaller cat next to, Mothstar was it? Anyway, she wanted to help. But still many cats stared at him with hate.
"I assure you, Mothstar. I will not be a burden to your Clan. Once I am even a little better, I can leave."
He ducked his head in respect, but still met Mothstar's cold yellow eyes.
-Stay strong, but know your place-
He reminded himself.
(Tags:____)
(Word count: 103)
(Time sent: 9:58am Central Time)

[gingersnapsdacat]

Rustpaw had felt a smile come to her muzzle when she heard the awe in Striker's voice. However, it was quickly replaced with suprise at the appearance of her leader, Mothstar. The rust-pelted apprentice silently listened to his words, wishing to give back a nasty retort. 
Can't you see that he is a sick loner? Does the warrior code not tell us to help others in need? At least allow me to explain!
She opened her muzzle, prepared to explain herself to MothStar, but stopped as Striker stepped up. 
What are you doing? DO you want to get clawed?
She took a pawstep forward, ready to take the blame. Once again, her plans were tweaked by the appearance of Smudgekit, who stood at her side, berating the leader. 
"Thank you Smudgekit," sighed the apprentice, "Your word is appreciated."
Of course, the support of a kit was not exactly the strongest alibi. The arrival of Cedarleap, their medicine cat, however, could prove to tip the scales in her favor. She nodded to the Medicine cat, thanking her for the support. 
"I understand your worry MothStar, but I assure you, this cat possesses the desire only to be healed, and find his kin. Does our code not decree that we are to aid those who cannot fend for themselves?"