The stirrings of War (DuskClan)

[Sparrow]

Peachstone padded into the elders' den with a soft swish of her tail, poppy seeds and a moss-ball covered in mouse-bile carried gently in a dock leaf she had wrapped around them alongside a chunk of willow bark. Her fur was slightly scuffed about and her eyes carried soft grey lines beneath them, but as she placed her assortment of medical treatments on the ground she smiled, giving the elder closest to her a gentle poke.

"Oi, Feverpitch, I have a new idea for your wrists."

She mewed, spreading her medicines out before her.

The elder in question, Feverpitch, raised up her head and shook it groggily with a yawn.

"Great StarClan Peachstone did you HAVE to wake me up now? It's cold as a ThornClanner's heart outside and hardly any warmer in here, I didn't have to find that out until I was fox-dunging awake and now you've woken me."

She hissed, fixing the medicine cat with a glare as she did so and flicking her tail irritably.

"Oh shush Feverpitch I'm showing off."

Muttered Peachstone, offering the elder a few poppy seeds and dragging the willow bark towards her as the elder begrudgingly swallowed her painkillers.

"Showing off huh? Why'd you maul a tree? You losing your acorns Peachy?"

Peachstone snorted and started chewing the tree bark, occasionally pausing to spit the mulch into her paw.

"Nah- Mphmphmph"

She mewed,

"So you know how I rubbed poppy seed on your wrists before?"

"Yeah it sucked, didn't make it any better either."

Feverpitch grunted, raising her eyebrow at the willow-mulch pile growing in Peachstone's paw.

"You gonna try that again? What's so special about tree-bark that'll make it different?"

With a flourish, Peachstone spat the last bit of willow-mulch into her paw and rubbed both paws together, motioning for Feverpitch to present her paws and rubbing it into the elder's wrists.

"WILLOW bark Feverpitch, if you chew it it kills pain AND brings down swelling. I think maybe if your arthritis is from swelling I can rub this in the treat it better."

"Why not just make ME chew it?"

"It's not good for your stomach."

"Huh..."

The pair lapsed into silence, Feverpitch sighing as her painful wrists were rubbed with the funny-smelling paste. The scent of the mouse-bile tickled at her nose and she flicked her tail irritably.

"What's happening out in the territories? I ASSUME you've been out there since this willow bark looks fresh."

She mewed. Peachstone paused, ears flattening to the side as she debated what to say,

Ah well, she's going to find out anyway

"ThornClan's pushing it's boundaries. Just yesterday a patrol found scent markers from them WAY inside our territory. The damn rats are pushing their luck."

Feverpitch hissed in anger, fur bristling,

"PUSHING BOUNDARIES!? UGH! I hate ThornClan. I DEARLY hope we're launching an attack on them? There's no way we can let them push us around like this?"

Peachstone sighed as she moved on to removing Feverpitch's ticks.

"I wish, but we're seriously low on fighting power."

"Well then send me, I'll kick the living- OW! WATCH IT!"

She snapped as Peachstone yanked a rather stubborn tick out of her fur.

[spottedfur]

A dark brown pelt seemed to blend perfectly into the shadows within the deepest parts of the elder den, only the sleek shine from well groomed fur could just barely be seen. However the young elder was far from undetectable, as he snored softly while he slept. Like many others he sought out sleep in order to stay warm and lately he had been grooming himself frequently to encourage his leafbare pelt. He was already noticing the change in his fur and was glad for it but he wasn't blessed with thick coats like some were, and with his slender body lacking any real bulk he was going to really feel the cold. Still he wouldn't eat more then he felt he deserved... Because unlike most elders who earned the right to retire... he was placed there; likely so he'd be less of a liability on the clan. Umberpelt was the same age as a young warrior but he was moved to the elders den instead of getting an apprentice ceremony when he was 6 moons of age. Or rather when he was nearly 8 moons old; he had been punished and held back for a moon then overlooked for yet another moon... But it was in the past now...
The tom stirred slightly in his sleep when he heard someone enter the den but it was only when heard Feverpitch did he actually wake. He blinked open his white, sightless eyes and let out a small yawn before lazily rolling to the other side so that his back was now facing the den wall. He was silent and didn't wish to disturb them since they seemed deep in conversation, but his inquisitive nature, along with his sharp hearing, couldn't stop him from listening to them. At first he just wanted to know why his denmate was complaining, though it was never an uncommon thing, but then he heard Peachstone's voice. Always yearning to gather more and more knowledge he strained his senses so he wouldn't miss anything. He could scent the herbs on her fur as well as the ones she carried. Then he heard her chewing on one and caught the slightly bitter and sharp scent of it. Willow bark she said. Good for swelling and pain... Bad for the stomach. He made sure he would remember the scent of it and what it would be useful for.
Umberpelt's ears perked up higher at the mention of the territories and then there was a pause from the young medicine cat. The blind tom could practically feel her hesitation in the air itself and wondered what could be wrong. He had heard the whispers throughout the camp but he was usually too preoccupied with one thing or another to have really heard them. That is whenever he wasn't sulking in the elders den. He couldn't help but be depressed. He was blind and useless, orphaned by his mothers sudden disappearance, then he lost his most dearest friend and was now left to rot away. This was how it felt and it was why he holed himself up in the den most of the time. There were odd days when he was filled with determination to make something of himself and be of some use to his clan. It was one of those days when he had earned his warrior name for saving an apprentice and her mentor from a rockslide. But he had only happened to be at the right place at the right time. It wasn't that long ago and when he received his full name he felt overcome with honour. But he wasn't asked to stand vigil as tradition. It was a strange situation, since he was an elder before he got his name. They saw no reason for him to stand vigil as it was what new warriors would do... And just like that his joy was stolen away and he fell deeper into his feelings of self loathing.
So, even though he could have known of what was going on sooner, it came as a complete shock to him when he heard that Thornclan was stretching their borders into their territory. His head shot up in surprise, his white eyes stretched wide and his ears pointed straight up. His fur had rippled in agitation but it quickly laid flat once more as the shock passed and he was left feeling more cold then ever. He blinked and his expression became collected and neutral. With a grunt he sat up and wrapped his long tail around his paws.
"I'd like to offer my help just as much as you, Feverpitch, but I doubt anycat would allow us to fight. Even if they did you can be sure they'd be more concerned for us then the battle itself." He mewed with his usual cool voice. It may have been because of his time spent as an elder but he gave off an air of wisdom and great insight; seeming to have knowledge and experience that he couldnt possibly have gotten. It was thanks to him always listening as a kit and then his time in solitude when he was neither a kit or apprentice; he was often alone and so he learned to be independent and he had acquired a sense of ingenuity, along with amazing insight. Then as an elder he had the time to dwell on his thoughts and became something of a philosopher. Yet because he rarely interacted with other, not many knew of this side to him. At best they would just get the sense that he is wise beyond his moons.
Umberpelt tapped his tail on the ground as he thought. "But perhaps we can help in another way." For once he felt as if he could have a purpose and it had awake something inside him that he hadn't felt in moons.

[Dreamer]

A lean shadow of a tom padded just past the entrance of the elders den. Nightpaw had just returned from a patrol (rare though those were nowadays), and was about to get a piece of fresh kill when a voice from within the elders den stopped him short.

"I wish, but we're seriously low on fighting power."

The black and white tom paused, smiling. Peachstone must be looking after the elders. It was good of her really, filling in for her seemingly absent-minded mentor. Peachstone was turning out to be a fine medicine cat. At that thought he smiled regretfully, his tail twitching. Yes, a good medicine cat. He lifted a paw to continue, but then heard as Feverpitch and Umberpelt replied. He realized what they were talking about, and before he could stop himself, curiosity drew him to enter the elder's den.

"But perhaps we can help in another way."

Although he had only heard snatches of their conversation, Nightpaw could easily guess what they were saying.

"Yes, every cat can help.... just not in the same way."

He threw a glance at Umberpelt, such a young cat but already an elder. Nightpaw would never be able to understand what it felt like to be blind, and yet as much as he wanted to pity the tom he could the frustration in his eyes. He didnt want that pity. He wanted purpose.

"Some of us will fight. Others will care for the kits, watch over them and hide. Then some will advise on strategy, or diplomacy." He snuck a glance at Peachpaw, her soft pelt bright against the seeming grunginess of the den, "And others will heal."

He sighed weighed down by the threat that even he as a mere apprentice could feel hanging over the clan.

"Hopefully it won't come to that. But if it does, you have my word, I will fight with all my being."

He realized just how cheesy that sounded. Since when had he given to long eloquent speeches of duty and honor? His ears heated and he glanced away.

"Wow I just sounded really silly didnt I?"

[Sparrow]

Peachstone flicked her ears to catch Umberpelt's words as she yanked the final tick from Feverpitch's fur, gathering her medical supplies as she planned to move onto his ticks next,

"I'd like to offer my help just as much as you, Feverpitch, but I doubt anycat would allow us to fight. Even if they did you can be sure they'd be more concerned for us then the battle itself...But perhaps we can help in another way."

"Another way eh? I'd rather just pound those fleabrains on the head with a good right-hook."

Feverpitch grumbled, tail twitching irritably at the idea of ThornClan daring to enter her territory.

"Besides, nocat's gonna allow or not allow ME to fight! Let's see them try and stop me when there's a battle going on!"

The elder grinned, an air of defiance settling around her as she remembered old battles she had fought.

Peachstone, in the mean time, had padded up to Umberpelt to check him for ticks. The medicine cat let her tail brush the ground as she padded up to her blind clanmate, something she saw as more courtesy than requirement as she was rather sure the tom could hear and smell her coming just fine without her making it obvious.

"Mind if I check you for ticks?"

She mewed, only to look around in an uncharacteristic fluster as she heard a familiar voice.

"Yes, every cat can help.... just not in the same way."

It was Nightpaw, having just come back from the territories by the scent of him. Peachstone twitched her tail uncomfortably as she felt her face grow hot, glad of the dim light of the medicine den to hide it as she started to pick ticks off Umberpelt.

"Some of us will fight. Others will care for the kits, watch over them and hide. Then some will advise on strategy, or diplomacy...and others will heal."

She looked up then, meeting Nightpaw's eyes as she did so and immediately looking away again, hoping he couldn't see her nervousness. She felt awkward and was doing her best to hide it but knew that she sucked at it, which in turn made her even more awkward. Feverpitch was probably onto her just from this one interaction, and she could see the elder raising a canny eyebrow at her from across the den with an expression she couldn't place. Heck even Umberpelt was probably catching onto her nervousness and he was blind.

Get a hold of yourself Peachstone you're behaving like a kit

"Hopefully it won't come to that. But if it does, you have my word, I will fight with all my being... Wow I just sounded really silly didnt I?"

Trying to clamp down on her funny behaviour, Peachstone interjected.

"No Nightpaw, to be honest that's the kind of spirit we need right now."

She mewed as she finished with Umberpelt's ticks, tail curling around her paws neatly.

"Too right Peachy."

Snapped Feverpitch, giving the young medicine cat another loaded look.

"Nor do we need anyone to be getting distracted from their duties."

Peachstone avoided Feverpitch's gaze and swished her tail angrily. Feverpitch was her friend, but she was an old-fashioned cat and certainly not one to beat around the bush. Couldn't she see she was TRYING? She KNEW she wasn't allowed to take a mate and she didn't need reminding.

"Well then Feverpitch you'd better remember to keep up your duty to me and let me know if that medicine I gave you for your wrists helps at all."

She snapped in response, standing and gathering her medical supplies together in a sweep of her tail.

"I'm going out to collect herbs."

She meowed, moving swiftly past Nightpaw out of the den and into camp.

((Peachstone to camp))

Feverpitch panned her ears to the side uncomfortably, having not meant to be cruel to her clanmate, but didn't say anything and simply huffed to herself.

[Dreamer]

It was dark in the elders den, and even as he spoke he had to adjust his eyesight. Thankfully all of his hight hinting gave him something of an advantage, and he was quick to be able to adjust to the lighting, seeing that Peachstone was working on Feverpitch and Umberpelt. But she seemed... off? Skittish maybe? He couldnt tell, but she seemed uncomfortable when he walked in. His heart sank a bit in his chest, he hoped he hadnt offended her.

Nightpaw felt relieved when Peachstone quickly assured him that his type of attitude was needed and he smiled at her again. Well maybe he had been wrong. Before he could say much in the way of thanks, Feverpitch spoke up rather sharply and he blinked at her words. Distracted, what did she mean? He glanced at Peachstone to ask for an explanation, but before he could ask she blustered something back at the elder and slipped out to camp.

The tom was at a loss as to why she should have been so frustrated by that comment, Peachstone seemed quite focused on her duties. More focused then her mentor for sure. For a few seconds he just sat there, debating what to do, but he realized he couldnt just let her go off by herself, not when Thornclan was encroaching on their territory.
And he didnt want her to feel frustrated, maybe if he could make her laugh she wouldnt be sad, or uncomfortable around him.

"I uhh should probably go find Peachstone, she... she shouldnt go out into the territories alone."

Without waiting for a reply the tom slipped back and out into the main camp.

(Nightpaw to main camp)

[spottedfur]

Umberpelt sighed silently through his nose at his denmate's words and slowly shook his head, deciding not to respond to what she said. He wouldn't reward such behaviour by reacting to it, and he didn't want to risk agitating her further, either; there was no point in riling anycat up. He knew this was just her nature, a personality trait that made her who she was, and truth be told he found himself admiring her and her boldness. If she ever planed to act on her words, only then would he take action and intervene.
He heard a shuffling sound against the den's floor, and felt the soft vibrations of an approaching feline. The sound and feel of her movements, as well as the scent of herbs growing stronger, informed him that it was Peachstone. He heard a brush of a tail, and his whiskers twitched in respond to the she-cat's gesture. He was aware that a few cats felt the need to accommodate him and his disability, and though he had mixed emotions about that, he never showed it or asked them to stop. He knew they did so with their best intentions in mind and there were odd times when they came in handy.
When the medicine cat politely asked to check for ticks, he nodded. Then his ears pricked as he sensed a cat, a tom, enter the den, before he heard Nightpaw's voice. He had felt a cat padding outside the den, but he had taken little notice of it, as that was an everyday thing; it became something like background noise to him.
Umberpelt could smell the forest on the apprentice, even with the strong scent of herbs so near him. His felt a pang of longing and almost instantly memories of his past flooded his mind. Those times when he was out in the territories with his beloved friend. A tiny sigh escaped his slightly parted jaws, as he allowed himself to return to the present, despite how much he wished to live in those blissful moments.
He listened to what the other tom had to say with a quiet and calm demeanour, which seemed almost like respect. He didn't treat younger cats as some did, with a parent-like tolerance as if they were humouring them. He treated everyone more or less the same way, showing the same open mind, thoughtfulness and seriousness when listening to them as he would any other cat; it was no different from a kit to the leader themself. 
The young elder heard what the apprentice said and slowly nodded in agreement, mildly pleased that there was a cat like him among the apprentices. If more Warriors were like him, the future of their clan would surely be secure. And yet... Even though he was aware that Nightpaw meant no ill will, he still felt a bit belittled and he knew that was due to his own immaturity. It was something he'd have to deal with on his own.
As he listened, his attention would flick back to Peachstone. He could feel that her movements were a little off and he could faintly hear her quickening pulse. Was she nervous? Why now all of a sudden? She had searched him for ticks time and time again... Did she find something about his state to worry about? No... Her behaviour now was for something else. Were there too many cats? Surely that had never bothered her before...
Then he turned his attention back to Nightpaw and very slowly he placed two and two together. He pushed that thought away though, feeling that he shouldn't assume something so quickly despite the overwhelming evidence. Besides this was not something he should get involved in.
It reminded him of his own feelings toward a clanmate and his eyes hooded slightly.
Then Umberpelt's ears twitched as he heard Feverpitch's words and sharp tone. And blinked in surprise and fell quiet as Peachstone left in a huff. The atmosphere had turned tense and unsettling, leaving the tom in slight bewilderment.
He heard Nighpaw excuse himself and some of the tension faded. There was a short silence circling the den, until he turned his blind gaze toward the other elder, his face disapproving. He waited for a moment, sure that Feverpitch caught his look, and waited for an explanation... Or something. But it didn't come soon enough for him. "What was that?" He asked with a stern voice and a raised brow. 

[Sparrow]

Feverpitch snorted to herself as Nightpaw left the den, that young tom had absolutely no clue about Peachstone, and it looked like Peachstone was just as oblivious. What was it about youth that made cats so damn stupid? Couldn't they see how they felt about each other and how wrong it was? It was clear as day!

She curled her tail around herself uncomfortably though. Peachstone was good company and a good medicine cat, and she hadn't meant for her words to sting like they had. A silence stretched out in the den, and before long the elder could feel Umberpelt staring at her, and despite knowing he couldn't see it raised her head to meet his gaze.

"What was that?"

"None of your damned business."

She snapped, standing and stretching out with a little moan at the pain in her arthritic joints. It was time for a stroll in the territories. She knew she wasn't supposed to, but camp was deathly dull and she couldn't stand sleeping and lazing around all day long every single day.

"Why don't go keep your nose out of other cats' lives and go outside for once? You're wasting your life in this den all over a bump in the road."

She snapped, trying to change the topic by attacking Umberpelt instead.

"I see your ears and nose working plenty hard, no way anything's gonna sneak up on you, so make yourself useful and learn to hunt."

[rainflower]

((Enter Eclipsedawn from camp))

Eclipsedawn rustled past the entrance to the elder's den, holding a mouse in her jaws. She was coming to drop it off for Feverpitch, but she heard her last comment-- no, insult-- to Umberpelt.

The heavily-built, muscular she-cat bristled and threw the mouse harshly at Feverpitch's paws.

"Why don't you stop criticizing others for once, Feverpitch. Just because you're so pathetic doesn't mean you should be putting others in your place. Don't try to drive others underneath yourself just so you can smell a whiff of your glory days. Eat and shut up."

Eclipsedawn knew it was harsh, but even Feverpitch should've known better than to pick on Umberpelt. Feverpitch was just grouchy, but Eclipsedawn couldn't help herself. She had to protect Umberpelt. As she always did.

The white she-cat sat beside Umberpelt, brushing against him and lighting a small wave of butterflies in her stomach. "I... just wondered if you wanted to go outside. It must have been awhile since you took a long walk, and the weather is pretty nice..."

She was sheepish around Umberpelt, striking a much softer, gentler tone with her childhood friend in stark contrast to the scolding she'd just offered Feverpitch. She couldn't help that, either. She hadn't spent as much time with Umberpelt as she used to, and she felt calmer around him. He was the one cat who knew her better than anyone else, after all.

There had been some time, though, where they hadn't spoken to each other for some time. Eclipsedawn knew that hostilities with the other clans were growing. She was out a lot more, stocking on food and running extra patrols to make sure that they had as much warning of danger as possible.

She didn't know how Umberpelt felt about her, now. She could only offer what little kindness within her to him, to try and express her own feelings.

[spottedfur]

Umberpelt frowned when Feverpitch responded to him with her typical attitude and tone. She was truly an elder through and through but there were many times when she acted like a spoiled kit or an arrogant apprentice. He still cared for his denmate in his own way, though he showed it in subtle and often strange ways, but he sometimes found himself apauled by her behaviour. He would sometimes feel the need to remind himself that he was sleeping in the Duskclan Elders Den and not the Thornclan Elders Den.
The blind tom heard the older feline get to her paws and stretch with a moan escaping her throat. His ears twitched at that and he wondered how long it would take Peachstone's remedies to take effect. He made a mental note to talk with the healer and drill her with questions on ways to help his aged den companion. For a brief moment his mind swam with things he intended to do and ask, when she spoke once more.
The young elder blinked his white eyes slowly, but showed nothing more that he was unimpressed and a bit annoyed. She was being a hypocrite in many ways; reprimanding him on something she had done herself just a short moment ago and again in the very same sentence. He sighed wondering if he should point that out but quickly thought better of it, knowing full well what that could do. Perhaps he should remind her that a clan is like a family and that living so closely together made it nearly impossible to keep ones nose out of their clanmates business.
Umberpelt decided to ignore what she said about his own situation. He didn't want to think about his 'bump in the road' and he certainly didn't want to be looked down upon because of it. Not many cats knew everything about what he went through... almost all of his clanmates, especially those his age or older, knew something and it's to be expected but he was always the naturally reserved type so there were things that he kept to himself. He didn't like how Fevepitch talked to him as if she knew everything when she seemed so uninterested in really knowing him.
he simply grunted when she carried on, only half listening now, when he sensed a cat approaching the den. The second she stepped inside he knew who she was. Her scent, her movement, her very presence alone was something he could never mistake for anyone else. His heart leapt and he sat up with perked ears, having laid down when he was being checked for ticks. 
His whiskers twitched when he heard his kithood friend speak and he felt both light headed with joy and uneasy for his denmate at the verbal assault. In the back of his mind he was suddenly aware of why he could tolerate Feverpitch as easily as he did... The two she-cats before him were fairly similar in certain aspects of their personalities. But he knew that certain cats did not get along well with others like themselves.
Umberpelt wondered what he should do to keep the peace and avoid a fight, but his mind went blank when the silk-furred Warrior sat next to him, her large muscled frame brushing gently against his slender lean body. He felt himself almost instantly relax in her presence, even after being apart for so long he could still feel as content as he did during their days together in the nursery. He couldn't help but purr, something that had long since become something like a reflex whenever Eclipsedawn was this close to him.
Hearing her speak to him was like a dream. It had been so long that he had started to believe she was lost to him forever. His beloved friend. He was so overjoyed to have her there with him that he almost didn't hear the words she said. He angled his ears and listened to the outside world. He could smell and now hear a light rain, but it was broken up throughout the territory. There would likely be places in their thick forest that would be sheltered and the weather brought out the earthly scents and fog. This was indeed very nice weather, in fact it was perfect.
"If you're not too tired..." He mewed, lightly touching his nose to her shoulder. "I'd like that very much." His voice now more casual then calm and composed as it usually is. There weren't many cats who he spoke to differently then others and they were only the very few friends and family members he had.
Umberpelt got to his paws and moved so that he was between Eclipsedawn and Feverpitch, ready to walk with his dear friend into the territories. He dipped his head toward his denmate. "I'll be heading out then. And you are right. I hadn't consided learning to hunt for a very long time. It's something I should consider." With that, he stepped out into camp and headed for the territories, hoping the old she-cat wasn't too offended by his friend and that there wouldn't be any ill feelings. 
<Umberpelt to Territories>

[rainflower]

The white warrior fluttered ever-so-slightly, barely even noticeable, when her dear friend touched his nose to her shoulder. It had been so long since they'd been in close proximity, and Eclipsedawn was feeling it all rush back at once. She felt that if she was of a weaker mind and body, she may have felt dizzy and faint. She was one of the strongest warriors in the clan and she felt inebriated.

Without talking, and with a final, disapproving glare at Feverpitch, she followed and led Umberpelt out of the den, eager to catch up. They'd have a lot to talk about.

((Eclipsedawn to territories))

[Sparrow]

Feverpitch turned her head in surprise as a mouse thudded loudly on the floor. It seemed that Eclipsedawn had arrived with a meal for her, though the warrior looked rather furious at what Feverpitch was saying.

"Why don't you stop criticizing others for once, Feverpitch. Just because you're so pathetic doesn't mean you should be putting others in your place. Don't try to drive others underneath yourself just so you can smell a whiff of your glory days. Eat and shut up."

The elder spat at the other she-cat, fur bristling along her spine.

"PAH! I was just doing what everyone else here is too scared to do, you little foxdung! He's wasting his life retiring so young, and it's all because we coddle him like a kit."

She brushed the mouse to the side to save for later, as she wasn't all that hungry at that moment.

"Unlike you I know when to show respect however, so I thank you for the mouse."

She mewed, dipping her head at Umberpelt in response to his motion as he began to walk out.

"Don't listen to all these mouse-brains who think you're weak."

She mewed warmly in response to his politeness, at least one cat in the clan knew to be respectful. She shot a glare at Eclipsedawn as she headed out. Little foxdung had no respect, she silently wished that when the she-cat grew old and could no longer fight or hunt the way she wanted that she too would be treated the same way by her clanmates.

With the pair gone however the den was empty, and with a sneaky grin Feverpitch checked if the coast was clear in camp. She was no lazy elder, and though she seemed to be successful in tricking the rest of her clanmates into thinking she never did a thing, she had zero intentions of spending her life cooped up in the elders den. As much as Umberpelt might have thought her a hypocrite for telling him to hunt, she acted as she preached.

Quiet as she could manage, the elder slipped out of her den and out of camp.

((Feverpitch to territories))