[ti]Private[/ti]It's Time to Go

[M'Lady]

It had been awhile since she was last here, talking to that Mothclan she-cat, Rainflight, that she hadn't seen since the Gathering. She wasn't... Avoiding her, persay, but she didn't think it was the greatest idea for them to keep meeting. The warmth in her chest when she spoke to her, the laughter that glittered in her eyes... None of it could be good. But she was still on a mission, to find the living cats that have been training in the Dark Forest. 

So she went, despite her feelings, despite her doubts. She went to the Mistclan Mothclan border, and meandered along like she usually did, marking it here and there for it to seem like she was actually doing something. She was nearing the midway point when she suddenly heard voices, they sounded like angry voices, or at least frustrated. Knowing Mothclan's tendency to be aggressive, she looked around quickly, soon finding a large bush next to a tree to duck behind. It wasn't much cover, but as long as she stayed still, no one would notice her dark tabby pelt amongst the undergrowth. Especially if this was a flyby Mothclan patrol, they most likely wouldn't be here for long. 

[sabs]

BRACKENFALL >>

    A hiss of annoyance rang out through the meadow as the deputy shook his dark pelt free of debris. "No no no, you've got the angle completely wrong." Brackenfall moved towards the silvery warrior, Feathercrest, and re-positioned his paws. "Footing is everything in a battle. Lose your footing, and you'll end up on the ground faster than you can say fresh-kill." The warriors had been training all morning, trying to perfect their battle moves as a duo. Obvious to anyone within earshot, this wasn't going over very well. It wasn't Feather's fault, Bracken just had a lot on his mind as of late, and even the smallest of things was starting to weigh on him. 

    The tom lashed his tail in annoyance, positioning himself in front of his fellow Clanmate, his paws placed firmly on the cold soil. "Okay, one last time...make sure you don't knock me over again or I may have to rake your ears." Brackenfall mewed, only half teasing at this point. A breeze picked up and wafted across their training field, making the deputy lift his head to check the scent. He pinned his ears to his head momentarily, was that a MistClan cat he smelled? The wind died down and so did the scent, the tom shook his head. Of course he was smelling MistClan, they were right next to their border. Letting his guard down, he continued to focus on the silver warrior in front of him. "Alright, show me you've learned something."

[Firefly]

Feathercrest nodded gently as Brackenfall adjusted his feet into their proper position.
"All right. I'll trust your judgement." He meowed as he prepared to pounce once more.
Feathercrest crouched down, tail twitching softly against the grass as he imagined his victim-which at the moment was a tree-,hissing, ears back against their head.
Right before he was about to pounce, he scented a slightly stronger Mistclan scent. Maybe that was what had alerted Brackenfall?
But alas, it was swept away by the wind. That didn't stop Feathercrest from being concerned, however.
A trespasser...? Feathercrest thought as he proceeded to crash into the trunk of the lone tree.
He got up, rubbing his forehead and nose with his forepaw.
"What's piqued your interest, Brackenfall? Is it the scent?" He asked curiously.
"I've just smelt it, too."

[M'Lady]

They noticed her, there was no doubt about it. They would either call her out next, or tell someone about the scent. She didn't want Mistclan to be at odds with Moth, it would be terrible. She especially didn't want to accidentally be the cause of it. Besides, she had something to say to the second tom anyway. If she kept silent any longer after seeing that pathetic sparring, she would probably explode.

She sighed, and then stood up, walking through the undergrowth she had just hidden in. She walked straight up to the border, careful not to cross it, and eyed the second tom with a slightly frustrated green gaze.

"Yer friend s'right, it's yer footing," She huffed, though she then glanced at his current stance in disdain. "But stop lookin' like yer trying ta catch a mouse by it's tail, yer fighting a fully grown tom cat! Widen yer stance." She grumbled, though then gave a sigh in relief as her comments escaped her maw. Oh it felt so good to get that out, nothing irked her more than poor battle strategy.

"And you," She turned to the other cat, recognizing him as the new Mothclan deputy introduced at the gathering. Her eyes narrowed at this recognition. "I'd think a deputy would 'ave a better guarded position," She huffed, sounding more annoyed than insulting. "Sink lower, 'unch yer shoulders, and fluff up yer fur a bit, you look abou' as threatenin' as a fish floppin' on the bank right now."

[sabs]

BRACKENFALL >>

    Watching the young warrior carefully, he could see the moment after Feathercrest's pounce where he had lost focus on his target. What happened next wasn't completely unexpected. With a crash and a thud, the silver tom laid splayed beneath the trunk of a tree. The deputy refrained from rolling his eyes, padding towards the warrior in case he needed help getting off the ground. "Don't get distracted so easily, Feathercrest." He hissed, trying not to sound as frustrated as he felt. Brackenfall nodded at his Clanmate's question about the scent.

    Before he could respond, however, a she-cat emerged from the brush. Now that she was closer, he realized that her scent was the one he had discovered earlier, only much strong now. As the MistClan cat spat her critiques onto his fellow Clanmate, he couldn't help but give a small grin of amusement. It didn't last long, because then she turned and started tearing into him. Unamused, he trotted up to the mysterious cat, just on his side of the border. Once he was closer, he realized she was a lot smaller than he originally thought. An apprentice, maybe? 

    The deputy cleared his throat, "You know, in MothClan, when we greet other cats we've never met, we usually start with an introduction. I could have sworn Bearstar would teach her apprentices more manners." He paused for a moment before he continued, his words dripping with sarcasm. "I'll start. Hello, I'm Brackenfall, and this is my friend Feathercrest." The dark tom motioned his bushy tail towards his Clanmate.  Maybe they could have some fun with this cat. "If you're so keen on teaching us battle moves, why don't you come on over?" Brackenfall invited, taking a step aside to make room for the she-cat should she dare choose to cross the border.

[Firefly]

Feathercrest watched the she-cat criticize his fighting moves. Was it hurtful? Yes...
Was it enough to make him angry... Not really. The cat, whom he identified as Tansysong, was right, to an extent.
"You do have a point, Tansysong, yet... It's probably not a very wise idea to instruct your enemies on how to fight." Feathercrest pointed out. He flicked an ear in amusement as Brackenfall started to lecture the cat about manners. He noted his sarcastic tone, and couldn't suppress a small burst of laughter.
"You should be the last cat to speak of manners. That retort certainly wasn't the most respectful, Brackenfall." he said, smiling. Feathercrest couldn't help but wonder what the she-cat was doing so close to the border, alone at that. He peered back into the undergrowth where Tansysong was hiding. Maybe there were more cats, though he couldn't smell any.
"Anyways, what brings you to Mothclan?" Fethercrest spoke. This was probably the most speaking he's done since the Gathering, and it was making his tongue dry. But, perhaps, Tansysong was interested in joining Mothclan? It might be worthwhile to have a sore tongue if it means another worthy cat joins Motheclan.

[M'Lady]

She huffed softly, opening her maw to retort when she was interrupted by Feathercrest, getting his own words in before she could snap back at Brackenfall. She averted her fern green eyes when the older warrior lectured her, and lashed her tail in faint annoyance at the prospect.

"It physically pains m'ta watch terrible fightin' technique." She grumbled, her eyes narrowed especially at the new Mothclan deputy. "You'd think a clan s'focused on battle trainin' would know how ta d'it properly." She turned towards Feathercrest when he asked her what she was doing here, and she scrambled for some sort of reply. I was hunting down cats that may or may not be in the Dark Forest? No, they'd think she was insane. Luckily, she was saved by a challenge set forth by the Mothclan deputy.

The small dark furred tabby was silent for a moment, as the deputy moved to the side to allow her through to the border. His eyes were daring. Tansysong was more of a follower than a leader, but she was on a mission in the place of no stars. She had to gain the respect of these Mothclan cats, if she was to continue her hunt. She hadn't backed down from cold blooded murderers, she wouldn't back down from this warrior who didn't know how to fight.

She held her head high. Mothclan cats respected those who took chances, took risks. They had all done so themselves when they left their clans. She thought of Rainflight, she could be strong like her, if she took this chance.

Tansysong strode over the border, not once breaking her gaze with the Mothclan cats. She went to Feathercrest first, using her paw to jab his own legs apart, correcting his stance with just a few prods here and there. Then she went to Brackenfall, her shadowy gaze meeting his fiery one, betraying not an emotion. "Sink lower, an' 'unch yer shoulders." She told him, in a steady tone that rumbled with certainty.

[sabs]

BRACKENFALL >>

    

    "You should be the last cat to speak of manners. That retort certainly wasn't the most respectful, Brackenfall." The deputy shot Feathercrest a sarcastic glare at the comment, his ears twitching in slight annoyance, but didn't give him the satisfaction of a response. He watched, unvexed, as the she-cat daintily crossed what little remaining space was left between them. He was about to make a move towards her, but she immediately went back to correcting their positioning. Oddly enough, he felt little threat from Tansysong. If the small cat had wanted to attack, she would have done it long ago. And she wouldn't be trying to teach the warriors how to fight in the least. He gave her a puzzled glance.

    "You never answered the question." He interrupted her critiquing. "Why are you here? This isn't the first time I've smelled your scent on our borders." The deputy highly doubted that this cat was spying, or that her intentions were malicious, at least not completely. He shifted his positioning, becoming more relaxed as he paced to to the other side of Tansysong. Maybe she'd wanted to come learn the fighting ways of MothClan? That wouldn't make too much sense if she thought they were terrible fighters, however. He sat down close to her, tucking his paws under his tail. If she wanted to attack him, now would be the time. However, he felt some sort of...trust with this cat. Yes, he decided, he liked this she-cat. Not just any warrior would cross another Clans border alone, especially not with two visible battling enemy Clan cats right on the other side.

[Firefly]

Feathercrest's spine fur stood on end as the mysterious she-cat pawed his legs to fix his fighting stance. She had the audacity to stride in mothclan territory without a second thought? For some reason, this made him respect her a little more. He dipped his head uncomfortably to the cat.
"I suppose you are correct." He said, his skinny oriental maw releasing a small puff of vapor from his breath, due to the chilly weather. He watched Brackenfall as he continued to question Tansysong, his big, fluffy tail swishing behind him as he spoke. Feathercrest wished he wasn't so skinny. It made him look frail and vulnerable in comparison to the deputy. He fluffed out his chest and stood taller in order to look less odd.

[M'Lady]

She waited until Brackenfall had backed off, and sat down, before she relaxed herself. The she-cat let out an inaudible breath. It had been a gamble, that fortunately paid off. She sat down as well, significantly smaller than the deputy and his warrior, but held her head just as high and proud.

"There are things that m'lookin' fer, that can' b'found in Mistclan." She didn't specify what, it was for the warriors to interpret as they wished. Looking for Dark Forest apprentices, looking for guidance in a world that had never suited her... Looking for Rainflight, maybe. She missed that Mothclan she-cat desperately. She hoped to find all of these in Mothclan. Mistclan had raised her, but considering she felt more at home in the place of no stars, perhaps she wasn't meant to stay there.

It was odd. She was in enemy territory, with two fully grown, battle ready toms beside her (not that she believed their skills had grown at all since she arrived, not that it mattered, they were huge compared to the dainty she-cat), and yet she felt better than she did in Mistclan territory. Was it the attention? The fact that cats were seeing her for her, not for her brother? She didn't blame her clanmates, Finchtongue's only fault was that he was a bit naive. He was otherwise funny, social, kind, smart, all of the qualities of a fantastic warrior. He would be a leader among cats one day. And then there was Tansysong, the runt of the litter. The kitten that spoke in strange tongues from a father that abandoned them. The small cat that wouldn't be of any use in a fight, she'd be crushed. The quiet cat that kept to herself, a stranger among her clanmates. Not like many tried to get to know her anyway. Her dark pelt matched her stature in Mistclan.

She was but a shadow to Finchtongue.

She loved him, but that was all she'd ever be there.

After this moment of weakness, she rose her head, casting fern green eyes towards Brackenfall and then Feathercrest, a resolute, silent decision made in her mind.

"Mothclan 'as more opportunity than m'clan ever will. A cat once told m'that she didn' feel right in 'er home clan, and I don' belong in mine. Yer clan was founded by cats that thought th'could create something new, an' different. If there is anywhere in th'living world I'd b'an asset ta m'clan, t'would be there."