Freedom

[Sparrowfur]

((This thread is private. Only me, Birdy, Sai, Moss, and Darkstar can be here.))

The black Fireclan queen slowly padded up to the leader's den. Sparrowfur scanned the darkness for the leaders familiar dark pelt, but couldn't pick anything out of the murky darkness. Sparrowfur expected that the three Iceclan warriors had followed her to the den, so she didn't bother checking behind herself. The three legged she-cat sat down, wrapping her tail around her front paw.

"Darkstar?" Sparrowfur mewed, not waiting for a response, "I have the Iceclan cats here with me. I need to speak to you." The black queen needed Darkstar's okay to walk them back to the border and to their clan.

((Moo, don't let them leave. We need to keep them so we can start the plot, but we needed the proof IC. xD ))

[Birdshadow]

Birdshadow's fur was ruffled and his eyes gaunt as he followed Sparrowfur silently. He held his jaw clenched and he was silent as he narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Wherever they were going, every none in his body rebelled against it, but his legs seemed to have control, and they numbly padded after the queen.

The leader's den, oddly enough, was their destination. The tom pricked an ear as he felt his paws make contact with the peaty ground. Where Sparrowfur's thoughts were going off to, he had little to no idea, but he was curious, for the first time in a while.

Now Sparrowfur was speaking, as he heard. He only dared to stand a safe distance away. The tom flattened his ears, not wanting to listen in just yet.

[Darkstar]

Darkstar let out a snarl, a good enough indication that she would accept an audience. The cat's steps had not been secretive as they approached her den, so she had already been given the chance to adjust herself in preparation.

"What is it, Sparrowfur?" her growl suggested. "I haven't got all day to deal with these vermin."

[Mossfeather]

Mossfeather folowed behing Sparrowfur and Birdshadow about a tail length behind, her brown tabby and white fur ruffled and her eyes still bright as normal. Let's see if Sparrowfur can get us freedom... I doubt it. As they made thier way towards the leaders den, she felt her normal fear rise in her stomach again, making her flatten back her ears.

Then they were in the den. Mossfeather could faintly make out Darkstar's black pelt in the dark den, finding her eyes though. Listening to the two FireClanners speak, she forced back a hiss of irritation, being called vermin. Stupid rabbit-eater. Still, the fear that had been with her since she had been brought here was still there, slowly clawing its way up her spine.

[Sparrowfur]

Sparrowfur looked at the Fireclan leader. "Darkstar, could we let the cats go back to their clans? Haven't they been here long enough?" The black queen took a step toward the leader, looking her dead in the eye. There was no reason to keep the Ice clanners longer. They should go home, but something told her Darkstar would say no.

[Birdshadow]

Birdshadow nearly did a double take, and though his eyes seemed numb and dull, they were wide. He stammered out an incoherent string of language for a moment, then he let himself fall into a sitting position.

Home. Sparrowfur wanted them home. He allowed himself a slight smile, then glanced up at Darkstar, eyes wide and pleading.

Pleasepleasepleaseplease.

Shuffling his paws restlessly, the tom stared at the ground, grinding his teeth as he waited. He hunched his shoulders and swallowed, ears pricked.

[Darkstar]

"Home?" she scoffed. "Home?" The second time she repeated the word, her voice rose to a tone that would make an unsuspecting cat cower. "Why in CloudClan would I allow these vermin to go home? Do you not understand how much trouble they have cause me, and how much more they would cause without the watchful eye of a FireClan cat?" Her black fur was bristling on edge now. Home? "No, they cannot return, nor will they return any time soon. They are to be kept here, prisoner, in FireClan until I say so."

[Sparrowfur]

Sparrowfur was shocked by her leaders words. The black she-cat nodded her head, dipping it low to her leader. "As you wish, Darkstar." She turned to the Iceclan cats, "You heard her. You can't leave. Her eyes gave them a look of appology. I'm sorry. I wish you could go. She thought.

[Mossfeather]

Home? The word echoed in Mossfeather's mind, her eyes growing bright and a smile growing on her face. Please Darkstar, please! Taking a step closer, she say more or less the same look on Birdshadow. Turning back to Darkstar, there was a pleading look in her eyes, but that same feeling stayed there. Then she said it. "No, they cannot return, nor will they return any time soon. They are to be kept here, prisoner, in FireClan until I say so." "No..." she stammered, her eyes blank.

Stammering back, Mossfeather fell back, her face wide in suprise. I'm not going home? No! I have to be back in IceClan! Suddenly regaining her mind, the IceClan warrior jumped up and, padding over to the leader, let a low growl grow deep in her throat. "Darkstar, me, Birdshadow, ans Maplefrost wish to return home. Are you saying you refuse that?" All her fear was gone, overcome by pure shock and rage. Mossfeather unsheethed her claws, digging them deep in the ground. Growling deep in her throat, she took a step back, a drop of sweat falling from her head.

[Birdshadow]

Birdshadow felt the words like a slap in the face. Reeling, he dropped his head, breaths shallow as he attempted to comprehend the phrases. He was't leaving. He wasn't leaving.

He'd rather die than stay in this inferno of a place.

Turning, he flattened his ears. This wasn't going to lie unattended. He was leaving. And he was taking his sister and friend with him. And Darkstar wasn't gonna hold them back easily.

"Yes," was all he said, voice sharp and cold.

"Mossfeather, don't. This is not the place," he growled.

[Deleted]

(Sorry I'm a bit late. eue)

Maplefrost had sat down in a dark corner of the shadowy den as Sparrowfur led them to the FireClan leader. Her tortoiseshell fur was ragged and unkempt. She had taken on the gaunt appearance of a hungry rogue in the short time they had been in FireClan so far. She had hardly spoken at all, and when had spoken it was only a couple of words to her brother.

Her emerald gaze shone dully from her corner as she watched Birdshadow and Mossfeather arrive. The look in her eyes would give any other cat the impression that she was somewhat dead inside. That wasn't far from the truth. Learning the truth about her father and being captured had drained her spirit until the warrior was practically a shell. It was hard to believe, looking at this older IceClan warrior, that she had been a vibrant, proud, strong cat just days ago.

Her ears pricked forward as Sparrowfur began to speak, capturing her interest. At least here it was quiet and there weren't quite so many unfamiliar cats. This allowed Maplefrost to think, and she processed her current situation. She was quite surprised that Sparrowfur wanted them to go free. Her eyes widened a bit, but she kept her silence, pondering what this would mean.

She trained her gaze on the old FireClan leader. Maplefrost heard her two Clanmates shuffling anxiously. They looked just as eager as she felt. Maybe the venerable dark-furred leader would have mercy on a few warriors.

But no. Darkstar spoke vehemently, forbidding them from leaving. Maplefrost blocked out the noises of her Clanmates and the FireClan queen. No. She would not stand by while the FireClan leader kept them isolated, as trapped as a mouse under a warrior's claws.

For the first time, energy sprang up deep inside Maplefrost like a flame. She rose to her paws quite suddenly, her eyes flashing dangerously. Her gaze burned like green fire as she glared at Darkstar. No matter what anyone else would think. She would deal with this in the only way she knew. The old leader wouldn't change her mind so easily, but Maplefrost had nothing to lose.

The warrior let out a growl that rose to a snarl. She screeched as she sprang, fast as the FireClan cats themselves on the hunt. Maplefrost's leap gave her the momentum to try to pin Darkstar down. Her pounce was aimed at Darkstar's left shoulder, and her black claws shone dangerously. She bared her fangs as she attacked. The leader might be older and much more experienced, but she had the advantage of surprise.

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(Figured I'd make Maple give things a twist. Moo, feel free to have Dark kick Maple's butt. I'm not expecting Maple to accomplish anything much except flaring up and attacking. o3o)

[Mossfeather]

Mossfeather turned her head breifly to Birdshadow, a suprised and sort of angry look on her face. Her green eyes were narrowed, her teeth beared. "Why not?" she mewed harshly, her light pink claws taring into the ground. "I want to go home. There is no other place. Right Maplefrost? Maplefrost!" Her screech was drowned out in growling and hissing.

Dang! Looks like Maplefrost took my attack! Her tortiseshell clanmate had lept at Darkstar, her claws catching a glare of light. "Mapefrost!" she yowled, sprinting towards her and Darkstar. Jumping at them, she made sure her claws her sheethed, trying to drag Maplefrost off the FireClan leader. Then something hit her. Why am I siding tith this stupid rabbit-eater? I should be helping Maplefrost!

Mossfeather hissed in pain as she felt one of Maplefrost's claws slash her scruff, making her jump out of the fray. Shaking herself off, she jumped at Darstar again, her claws unsheethed. This is for Birdshadow! And Maplefrost! And for insulting my clan! Wildstar, Windflurry... me. Slicing wildly, her green eyes were slits, lost in a storm of rage. "Come on! Get me! I dare ya!"

[Sparrowfur]

The black queen snarled as Maplefrost attacked. The queen couldn't believe she would do somthing like this in the middle of the Fireclan camp. The queen was about to interfear when it seemed as Mossfeather had gained some sense. She paused as Mossfeather tried to stop her clanmate.

Sparrowfur was surprised as she turned and attacked the leader too. Sparrowfur knew Darkstar could handle herself, but the queen turned and leaped at Mossfeather, aiming to knock her away from Darkstar. The three legged queen hoped she could handle this warrior and that Birdshadow would keep his cool and stay out of this.

[Darkstar]

Darkstar killed all the cats and ate their liver. "Yum."