A Ghostly NewCommer

Warily, Vinepaw watched the rough she’d scented come into view. Slightly her eyes widened and tail waved behind her, uncertainly. She’d never had to deal with an actual clan outsider before! This had to be one tricky cat to get around the warriors and right up to camp to. The long furred she-cat had literally gotten past the border and matched right up, probably would have gone right in had Vinepaw not confronted her. And just what this rough want? That question made her even more unsure. No one other then the Shadowclaners walked about this territory with such authority unless they had some reason to be unafraid. If that’s the case she can’t get in to camp. Vinepaw stalked another step forward, staring down the ever so slightly smaller cream colored cat.

Being closer she caught the brief whiff of some unknown thing caught in the trespassers long locks of fur. She was gray about the face with lighter blue eyes then Vinepaw had. The apprentice wasn’t sure what to make of it. The cat before her didn’t actually look like a threat but she decided to air on the side of caution and was about to growl some warning as the cat padded farther forward. Her words were cut off though my a soft mew. Ears, straining she leaned forward, attempting to make out the rouges strangely gentle voice. Why such a cat would go looking for Shadowclan was beyond her, surly she’d be chases away as soon as the warriors returned?

Confused and frowning, Vinepaw lost her aggressive bent posture and stood up strait though her shoulders were still slightly hunched. A name was give, Ghostly Sighting . . . Ghost. The cat plopped down to Vinepaws quizzical look. Ok, so perhaps she’d over estimated, Ghost didn’t seem like such a cat to be afraid off. Actually she appeared to be the kind of cat Vinepaw would easily get along with, If only she could here her better! Oh wait – what had the cat just said? A home? She watched and didn’t speak, it would probably make Flystar mad if she just invited this cat inside. What was she thinking! Or course Ghost couldn’t come in, she was an outsider, unwelcome!

Amidst these thoughts a sent drew near. She jumped and snapped a sharp glance at the outlying shadows abruptly recognizing Sootpaw without seeing his tell tail pelt. Ghosts jaws snapped shut with an audible sound. Vinepaw glanced back at her as she spoke in that same gentle voice. Of course I’m not the leader! Her mew was laughing, but not teasing. She couldn’t believe Ghost had just said that! Ok no, our leader is out at the moment. Tail tip twitching back and forth she decided to sit down to. Being a good judge of character, Vinepaw had decided Ghost wasn’t a threat at the moment. In fact the rouge was lacking essential information it seemed. First thing first though, So your planning on join us eh? With a flick of the ear Vinepaw tried to signal Sootpaw over.

When Sootpaw saw Vinepaw sent him a sharp glance he immediately knew he was given away.

mouse-dung! He thought as his tail lashed as he stared at Vinepaw, face twisting in a small scowl. Did she have to give him such a sharp glance? She bascially just gave away his position!

Obviously Vinepaw didn't know the first clue on steath. Surpressing a sigh, the young apprentice listend on as Vinepaw spoke to the she-cat, whom he now saw as a small looking cream and grey she-cat. He blinked and glanced at the older looking feline, before realzing she didn't look, or sound for that matter, much of a threat. His ears flew against his head as the she-cat mentioned himself.
Tail twitching, Sootpaw stood up and came out from behind the bush, his face striken with momentary embarassment and annoyance as he padded to stand by Vinepaw. He already knew how they had caught him. Vinepaw seeing his bloody white fur, and that she-cat seeing Vinepaw's look, and probably scenting him. But he was low enough in the brush that they couldn't scent him, right?

Not wanting to think about that meer incident of being caught, the tom's eyes glued to the blue-eyed tresspasser before him.
Even though she looked to mean no harm, since Sootpaw was the loyal Shadowclan cat he was, he had to hold the suspicion he had towards her.

"Okay, you caught me, but who are you?" He started off in a steady meow. His tail flicked back and fourth as he stared the she-cat in the eyes, he wasn't going to let this rogue in the camp, no matter what Vinepaw said. She obviously thinks that a stranger cat padding onto Shadowclan territory isn't a big deal at all! Look at her! She was just sitting there, if Sootpaw wasn't there, she would probably be pinned down and slitted in the throat if he hadn't been there...

Okay, so Sootpaw was abit big-headed, but hey, he was a tom, what did you expect?
The grey and white apprentice waited for the cat to state who she was, because he hadn't heard what her name was before.

Before the pair Ghost lay down. She might be small but clearly the rouge figured she’d be able to defend herself and wasn’t worried. Ears twitching, and eyes flicking everywhere, the soft spoken invader didn’t seem unaware despite her relaxed posture. That was more then Vinepaw could say for Sootpaw, on her right he was still standing and looking all ready to take control of the situation. She glanced over at him, still wary and carefully observing the situation. Her black nose twitched and rustled each whisker as she turned back to Ghost. Quietly, Vinepaw was actually interested in her answer.

The she cat kept shifting positions stubbly she noted. Each slightly different movement though no longer sent waves of unusual sent flinging there way. Vinepaw was starting to get used to it and carefully parted her jaws to see if anyone else was around, most of all Flystar. If felt like she was right in the middle of something interesting for once and, eagerly shifting her hind weight, she really wanted to know what there leader might say.

Past the newcomers sent she did detect something – Shadeclaw! Muscles twisted as she turned to catch sight of the black newly made warrior. Vinepaw only had a few memories of him, perhaps a half year older she thought. For a moment the dark apprentice feared he was going to be all aggressive to, Shadeclaw was staring Ghost down! Claws flexing as she watched, the warrior spoke kindly but with a bit of a shudder. At least he was a warrior though, Vinepaw tried to catch his attention but Shadeclaw looked lost and Ghost started to speak.

Snapping around her reflective gaze was sorry as she learned Ghost’s whole family was dead. Head dropping, she examined some bit of thing that had stuck to her fur. How the she cat planned to ever trust a new family was beyond Vinepaw. Even worse, how was Shadowclan suppose to trust her? Blinking sadly she looked up again, Ghosts face wasn’t really mournful. I think she’ll – Vinepaw stuttered quiet, ears straining forward. Was that Flystar now?

. . .

At least my furs mostly dry. Being only the leaders second or third swim ever, Flystar was fairly satisfied she’d managed to save anyone at all. Behind her pads came a young brown kit, about apprentice age, named Maple. His longer fur had still looked slightly damp the last time she’d checked, a glance over her shoulder told the same. Before her eyes she still pictured that moment when he’d slipped forward, teetering between what could have been life and death over the stream. After that everything had gone by in a whirl of movement.

Icy water sinking upon her stomach fur and stealing her breath away. Being thrown and tossed about like some piece of moss in a game. Dark dark currents clawing her sides downward. Then kicking hard against it to the surface, thinking she’d lost Maple for good amongst the eddies. Her hind legs kept catching on underwater stones and were bruised painfully. At the time she’d only wanted to safe the kits life though. Seeing his dark furry shape ahead had been such a relief. Biting his fur and dragging them both onto land, she still felt the strain of it in her shoulders.

But we made it. And since they were closer to camp then, downstream of the warrior Nightclaw who Flystar had bumped into before meeting the kit, she was leading him back to Shadowclan. Large ears twitched, silently she hoped the warrioress wasn’t worried. It would be terrible if she leaped in the stream after them and was hurt. Green orbs blinking she halted and gazed back the way they’d come. The forest was open here, she could see some distance but nothing stirred in the shadows depths and there was no way to send out a message.

Trotting off, her tail swished as the trees bends and knots grew more and more familiar. They were almost home. With luck Echoheart would be in her den and she’d tend to the fatigued Maple. A pack flicked in annoyance as she walked. Of course it was more likely her medicine cat would be out collecting herbs. Checking to make sure Maple was still on his paws, Shadowclan camp loomed up. She felt her step lengthen, a good bite to eat was what they both needed and back within her shelter she could rest all those tired muscles!

A babble of voices flowed up trailing there sent behind. For a moment the leader wondered at the fact so many cats were outside camp. It was great if they all wanted to guard – or perhaps they were distracting the guard, she caught Vinepaws voice and her eyes narrowed. That little she cat would talk to anyone! Halting abruptly, she listened as a brand new voice spoke up. The fur along her spine prickled. This wasn’t a Shadowclan cat. And her warriors were just chatting with it!

Suddenly she severally wished Nightclaw had been left on guard. The black warrior would have been far harsher and have kept this intruder in check. Lashing her tail, Flystar took a breath and readied for her second rouge encounter that day. If it was anything like the last, this would be difficult. Padding into view with her head high and back straight she took the scene in quickly and easily picked out the newest trespasser.

What was more distressing was that, although she was surrounded, the long furred rouge looked totally at ease. She lay limbs stretched before her upon the forest floor and looked utterly calm. Flystar was heartened to know her cats weren’t imposing clan cats at all. Inwardly her spirit sighed. Why hadn’t they just invited this cat in and fed it just to top off the welcome? Growing more frustrated her spirit sighed, this wasn’t what she had wanted to come home to. Feeling everyone’s attention on her, she turned to all of them, face expressionless. So. I see your treating a rough to a friendly chat right outside our camp. Each word sounded a bit sarcastic as she continued. Certainly it’s not a bad idea. If you know where they are you can make sure no prey’s stolen right? Or did you fetch something to ease her traveling pains to? Dangling of the end of the sentance was a question as was evident in her sharp eyes. Flystar wanted to know what was going on.