Chilling to the Bone [O]

[Crescent]

Long claws sank into a pale brown she-cat's shoulder, the tom doing laughing wildly. "You now fee the pain I have felt Dustfur." he sneered, sinking his claws further into her skin. She struggled, "No, Lionpelt! I didn't mean to.." Her voice faded, overcome by the darkness spreading over her. "You will pay for what you have done..." his voice echoed in the shadows.

Dustfur woke abruptly from her dream, her eyes darting around. "It was just a dream..." she mewed, sitting up. She licked one paw, swiping it over her ear. The pretty she-cat had already experienced that nightmare before... but it seemed to get more and more vivid each time. She was almost certain Lionpelt was still around, watching her every move. Pawsteps at the entrance made her jump again. Dustfur turned and hissed in agitation at the newcomer.

[emberstar]

Emberstar poked in his head with a worried look "Whats wrong Dustfur?" He was constantly worried for his clan mates mainly because he thought his actions would affect him in every way. He also thought his clan mates despised him and he wanted to be trusted. He thought 'Hope I did not stumble into something personal.' He licked his paw hoping Dustfur would respond.

[Crescent]

Dustfur

She dipped her head respectfully to him, "Just a bad dream. I'm fine." Dustfur flashed him a weak smile. "I've just been a little... on edge lately." She sat beside her leader, grooming her pale brown fur. "No need to worry about me." she reassured Emberstar, flicking her ear. "Are you alright? I'm sure being a leader is quite stressful." she mewed, trying to change the subject. The haunting image of Lionpelt loomed in her mind, his claws curved. She shook her head, hoping to free the memory.

[emberstar]

Emberstar mewed "I'm up cause I dream about the battle with the badger earlier today. I feel horrible that I got three cats killed. I have no idea why everyone is still so loyal despite my blunder." He really couldn't remove that feeling of guilt cause everytime he looked back he nearly cried. Instead, he sat next to Dustfur seeing what she would say next.

[Crescent]

Dustfur put her paw on Emberstar's. "It wasn't your fault. They died, because it was their time. You're a great leader. And I'm not the only cat that thinks so." She fixed her soft amber eyes on Emberstar's green orbs. "Don't feel bad about something you couldn't help." she mewed, "It's okay now. The future ThunderClan members will know them as courageous warriors who died respectfully for their clan."

[emberstar]

Emberstar smiled slightly and said "I worry way too much don't I? Well with the death of Hawkstar which happened about four moons after he became leader unfortunately, I had to filled the spot. If only so many cats hadn't died from the greencough out break. Now we are sitting here. I guess the greencough was a test to see who was the strongest out of us. Oh well, I'm going to go over whom I might make deputy tomorrow and I'll announce it at moonhigh." He blinked and began to look as if he was in deep thought.

[Crescent]

"Our ancestors will be watching over you. Hawkstar, all of them." she meowed. "I'm sure they will approve of your choice." purred Dustfur. "And worrying isn't a bad thing, as long as it doesn't bind you. Maybe, you worry, but don't let worry rule you." She looked down at her paws, "That is what my second mentor said before she was killed by a rouge." The flashes of the memory came, her, a new warrior, cowering in the bushes while Leopardspots fought her own brother, murderous and bloodthirsy, killed her. "I alwasys thought it was my fault." she whispered

[emberstar]

"It never was your fault that happened to Leopardspots and you know it! I still regret that charge we were in versus Shadowclan where we lost Brookear and how I had to watch her being clawed to death. Thank Starclan those days are over and the Abandoned Twoleg Placed is still ours. Yet, your right I shouldn't let my worry engulf me." said Emberstar and he thought as he looked around the den 'Starclan all I need is a sign!' He began to move his tail back and forth as if he was trying to fan the den.

[Crescent]

"Calm yourself, Emberstar." murmered Dustfur, calmed by his words. She leaned and licked his cheek in comfort, "Don't be so agitated, why don't we go for a hunt to clear both of our minds?" she suggested. A hunt would make her feel better, it always seemed to. She saw his tail twitching, as if nervous. Is he alright? she wondered.

[emberstar]

Emberstar mewed "Yes hunting would probally help." He padded outside the camp and scented mouse. He dropped into his hunters crouch and sprang into the air and landed on a stone. He cried "Uggh what happened to the mouse?" He got up and looked around and respotted the mouse he thought 'I'll get you this time.' and he sprang at it with all his might and made a quick kill.

[Crescent]

Dustfur nodded in approval of her leader's catch. "Well done, Emberstar." she commented, stalking into the nearby bushes. Crouching low, she kept her eyes on a wood pigeon, digging in the truf. With one swift move, Dustfur swiped er paw at the oblivious bird, dragging it to her teeth by its wing. It didn't stand a chance against her. Nipping the bird's neck, she carried it back to Emberstar.

[emberstar]

Emberstar commented "Good kill! Let's catch abit more and head off to camp." He scented the air and there was nothing, just nothing. He thought he was dreaming but all he could scent was Dustfur. he turned to her and mewed "Where did all the prey go? Its greenleaf for Starclan's sake!"

[Crescent]

[Sorry for the late reply....Trying to keep up with my RPing....]

Dustfur looked at him puzzled. "I don't know..." Then, a wispy scent snaked around her nose, sour and.....disgusting. "Emberstar...Do you smell that?" she asked, recognizing the scent as Fox! "I think I know why the prey isn't here..." she mewed, in a low, frightened tone. She shrank back, finding her pelt touching Emberstar's. "Oh, sorry.." she mewed, feeling hot with embarrassment.

[emberstar]

(It ok)
Emberstar unsheathed his claws and mewed as he slowly advanced forward "Its ok but, we should take care of that fox first." He had a new fire in his green eyes. He thought 'We should be cautious. I can't afford to lose any more warriors especialy Dustfur.' He heard a twig snap and whirled around. He stood beside Dustfur, maybe a little too close, ready to fight.

[Crescent]

The pale brown she-cat unsheathed her claws, snarling at the fox. She could see its scarlet pelt in the bushes in front of them. "Where should we attack it from?" she whispered, crouching lower. Her fur prickled nervously, but she wasn't that fearful. Dustfur was more excited than anything.