Watching The Clan. [Open!]

[Zealheart]

Golden eyes scanned the Clan below him. Inkstar had taken his leave from clan to get a much needed rest. Rather than risk being disturbed in his den, the ebonite shadow had lost himself within LightClan territory; leaving a watchful Zealheart to attend to the Clan they both loved so dearly. A family rested below his paws. Times were growing more and more difficult. A famine had raked its hideous claws within LightClan's flesh and tore without mercy at the inhabitants within its breast. Many cats had lost their lives. Even the past deputy, Larksour, had found his fate clenched tightly within the ailment's grasp, and had joined the ranks of StarClan; leaving the white tom to be called to take his place.

A breeze blew through the camp. It was a caressing note; one that is sung to a lover. It came to the noble cat peering downward at his clanmates. The wind's silken touch allured him. Her sweet whisper seduced him. Eyes closed for but a moment to submerge himself in this hidden maiden's touch. What was she speaking to him? What did she know that he never would? What sweet nothings were these two lovers exchanging in this one moment? In a heartbeat, however, her strength had wavered and she faded away. The strands along his pelt lay back into place, the trees around them fell still once again.

All around told him there were signs of peace. He had since sent the hunting patrol to Frowning Fields. It was there that the grouse chicks would be first spreading their wings. In their excitement and concentration to reach the sky's great blanket they would forget their safety. It was then that the cats would strike and bring home a feast to fill the bellies of all the Clan. A full stomach would ease the elders' paranoid thoughts, bring fresh milk to nursing queens and their kits, and provide strength to the apprentices and warriors. As long as their stomachs were content, they would be less likely to stray into thoughts of what had happened. Their fears would ebb from them as quickly as the wind had eased her hand away. This was his hope.

The white cat's eyes clouded slightly. Attentive and alert was how he may appear to the cats below him, but upon that rock he found himself weighed down. Since taking the role of deputy he had been eager to prove himself. Enrolling himself on hunting and border patrols whenever the chance arose gave him little time for rest. This, however, he had taken in stride. Now, with such a serene sight spread out before him, the insect that was to be his exhaustion crawled out to bite at his energy. With each savage tear he grew more weary. A weary did he still become as he forced that bug back into the dark recesses of his thoughts. He would not permit himself rest until Inkstar had returned into camp. Until then, he would remain vigilant.

The wind came again to run through his fur. However, she bore a humid touch. Lifting his gaze upwards, he spied the clouds above lined with a silver hue. They were pregnant with rain and threatening to spill the liquid in due time. For now they were merely telling the prologue: an introduction of things to come. Back did his gaze fall to the Clan. Straightening his shoulders, he cast his eyes to the inhabitants below him. His eyes caressed across each cat in turn. With his family below him, and his lover blowing through his fur, he, too, found himself at peace...

[_LUNAR ♥]]

The slight breeze felt wonderful against his heavy fur. All the sorting and collecting of fresh and un-ruined herbs had tired him. The clan, at this time of day, seemed quite peaceful. There hadn't been a patient that day with sickness, except that one apprentice with the thorn in his pad. Otherwise, the day was rather... enjoyable. The sun dissapeared behind large, gray clouds. They threatened to pour an unbearable amount of rain, sending even the healthiest of warriors into his den. But right now, they seemed still. Everything seemed still, at least in his den. The only movement was a petal or two being thrust along by the breeze.

He padded toward the edge of his den; the place which was lined with soft, lush moss. Where he took deep naps, and where he rested for the night. His pale green eyes sent slight reflections of light around the shadows of the den, and they dissapeared as he blinked. Letting out a long, tired yawn, he attempted to curl up and flicker his eyes close. But he was restless. He felt he didn't need sleep, at least not right now. Pulling himself back up, Tumblethoughts stared around his den. There seemed to be nothing out of order. Everything was organized and tucked in safely. But he felt like a long breathe of fresh air.

Scurrying out of the entrance, the medicine cat stretched. His long, lithe muscles rippled as he moved his shoulders. Another long yawn escaped his mouth as he padded away from his den. As his handsome eyes scanned the clearing, he noticed the muscular figure of another feline sitting on the Den Tops. Peering closer, he noticed it was not Inkstar, but Zealheart. Where was Inkstar? Slight fear clutched his heart, but he slowly convinced himself wrong. Inkstar wasn't some tiny kit who always needed a supervisor. He took one look at the rest of the camp, noticing it was peaceful, and walked a little more quickly toward the deputy. When he reached the Den Tops, his muscles bunched as he took one mighty leap. His claws scraped against the top as he climbed up and stood next to Zealheart. "Zealheart," He meowed, bowing his head to the tom, "Where's Inkstar?"

ooc: my post seems puny compared to yours. ^.^

[Zealheart]

[ Nonsense! Your post was lovely! Quality over quantity. ]

Musings were simple things. They may draw out for long periods of time, yet at the slightest intrusion did they cease their intervals. Deep musing and meditation required a great deal of peace. When such a tranquil setting is disturbed the pondering then fades back into one’s subconsciousness; rearing out again only when the peaceful state had returned and mind again pursued to wander.

So was the truth now. His muse tucked away at the sound of claws scraping against dirt. Hooked barbs caused the soil beneath to become unsettled and crumble down to the ground below. No agitation lay within the colorless feline. The pallid specter’s eyes remained unchanged even as they migrated to the source of such a sound. In this source bore the familiar features of a cat that held both his admiration and respect: Tumblethoughts.

A familiar acquaintance to him, Zealheart found himself delighted to be approached by the medicine cat. Tumblethoughts was a peaceful soul. He set forth to heal his clanmates and did not give up this goal lightly. He was a persistent patron of LightClan. If there held true a way to help one of his kin he would strive to achieve it regardless of his own personal sacrifices. His body matched the grace of his heart. There lay no flaw upon his features, nor any want of further beauty. No blemish stretched on his muzzle, nor tear made of his ear. His pelt was of marble, rippling as though StarClan had molded him from the purest of liquids. White flashed upon his muzzle and along his underbelly, proving further the purity that beat within the chambers of his chest.

In Tumblethoughts Zealheart had found a great deal of comfort. Be it a torn claw or a seeping wound the cat had taken great care to patch him up. So too was his persona harmoniously matched with the white tom’s. The breathing phantom found Tumblethoughts presence pleasurable. Unlike most cats of the clan, Zealheart would permit Tumblethoughs a thorough inspection of his ponderings. Perhaps it was the cat’s likable behavior that drew this out from the tom? Or was it the intimate relationship that only he, a medicine cat, could engage in with StarClan?

“Inkstar has taken leave from the camp.--”

To another clanmate he would have ceased at this simple answer, but Tumblethoughts bore possession over Zealheart’s trust. And so the ivory tom continued.

“I feel that he is very weary from the past events. Seeing all was peaceful here, I saw no reason to dissuade his choice. Rather I encouraged it. It is good for him to get some time to converse with his thoughts. If he was forbid this I fear we will be led by a leader that has driven himself mad.”

The tom curled his tail around his paws, taking a moment’s glance back to the clan. All was fairing well, so again he turned to the handsome green glow of Tumblethoughts eyes and even allowed the conversation further life by making an inquiry of his own.

“How are you fairing, Tumblethoughts? I do hope you will follow Inkstar’s influence and take this moment of peace to rest yourself.”

The medicine cat, though Zealheart held little knowledge with the technicalities of the employment, had the hardest and most straining job of the Clan. A leader and a deputy know that they are given limits, to a medicine cat boundaries are things of imaginations. They are given little time for rest. For even in moments of tranquility such as this there is work to be done. There may not always be a war, but there is always an ill or injured patron to attend to. This left a medicine cat, no doubt, feeling strained and exhausted. Yet still they endured this without complaint.

In this he saw Tumblethoughts true personality. He was willing to endure a thousand lifetimes of never-ending work, because in the role of LightClan’s medicine cat he had found his calling. This, Zealheart believed, was truly what made him happy.

[_LUNAR ♥]]

Another breeze swayed his fur. It felt as wonderful as the first, pulling away the lumpy warmth. He gave his chest fur a lick as it ruffled. Why did it have to be so hot in greenleaf? His pale green eyes flickered toward the clearing. He took in a deep breathe, feeling all the smells of Lightclan enter his scent glands. It felt good to have... everything. A wonderful, paying job, a perfect clan, a peaceful day, and most importantly, an understanding leader and deputy. He flickered his eyes back to Zealheart, taking another deep breathe. The tom seemed to be at the most peace, sitting there as if he was leader. Taking charge of the camp while Inkstar was gone. Tumblethoughts showed thanks for that. Without him, a lot of the peace that was here today would be gone.

Tumblethoughts had always respected Zealheart. He seemed so loyal and strong. Not to mention his wonderful mind. No clan would want anything more. But the medicine cat thought he should take a break once. Just have a little fun instead of always being a role-model. He would hate to have to do that. Sitting around all day watching the clan and controlling them. Leading them into battle even though they knew some wouldn't come back. He was much more content with his own job. He examined the deputy, from ears to tail-tip, hoping to see he wasn't too tired. But he didn't seem like it. He hid his thoughts and emotions well. But, sometimes, even a medicine cat could see them. And Tumblethoughts noticed a bit of anxiousness in Zealheart's emotions.

So Inkstar was away. Maybe that was why Zealheart was anxious. To make sure his leader was fine. But the deputy seemed to encourage Inkstar's leave. That was good, of course, but sometimes it was better not to. Right now was fine, but Zealheart had better watch out in the future; when Inkstar wanted to take out a patrol even though he was tired to death. Then his own tiredness came up. Indeed, Tumblethoughts was tired, exhausted was a better word, but there was no way he could sleep. Not right now, at least. He tilted his head so he could look up at Zealheart. Even though he was rather big himself, he wasn't as tall as the deputy. "I can't sleep right now," He meowed, "What if a cat came into my den when I was sleeping? That wouldn't be good, would it?" His eyes hinted a look of amusement. It was fun once in a while to play around with the deputy. "What about you?" He purred, flicking his tail.

[Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander]

[since I don't know if we are starting over with our story, Poison will just act casual around Zealy. Also, I seemed to not have figured out the time of day..? xD]

The light step of her paws would only announce her arrival, only if you had been listening. The purple she-cat was making her way over to the fresh-kill pile, dropping off her catches. She stopped and closed her eyes, thankful for her short fur in this warm weather. Looking over her shoulder to the Den Tops, she saw Zealheart and Tumblethoughts making conversation. A few bits of their conversation had drifted over to her ears. Inkstar, apparently, had taken leave out of camp to enjoy some time alone. Rather then going out to find him, the she-cat decided to stay and talk to the gabbing toms.

Lifting her paws, moving with a swaying gait, she made her way over to them. She didn't mind intruding on them, they weren't having a private conversation, atleast it wasn't to her. She didn't bother taking a seat before the toms, she jsut didn't want to. Her mind was actually calm for once, as was her appearance and attitude. Blinking her deep purple eyes, she opened her moth to speak to them.

"So tell me boys, what are you two gabbing on about?"

[and you say your post is short? XD]

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[xx.java]

Violetheart and Coral padded along beside each other, simultaneously elated and angry. Elated because the grouse patrol had gone well, catching a fair amount and leaving the rest to grow up and continue the cycle. And angry because, well, it was Violetheart, and very little Violetheart did did not end in anger.

"Well," said Violetheart, stopping short. "I quite tired, so would you mind telling Zealheart for me?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, sweetness." Violetheart smiled lightly. "Some of us need our beauty sleep."

"No, yes I need my-" but Violetheart was already trotting off. Coral briefly contemplated using her hypnotyism to get the cat trip on a pile of droppings some cat had forgotten to cover up, then sighed and walked towards the den. Then she stopped.

Had she been serious there? Were her powers getting the better of her? She had worked so hard to dispel the rumors that she was only successful because of her hyponotism, her sixth sense, and webbed feet and waterproof fur, and now was that turning out to be true?

No. She could control how she used her hypnotism, even if she couldn't quite control it yet. She shook her head once, then continued her walk towards Zealheart. She wished that statement could take the load off her chest, but there it hung, weighing her down. Actions speak louder than words, right?

"Zealheart?" she called, reaching the den. "We have news about the patrol."