Finally Home (With a Friend)

[.:Drenchy:.]

Leopardback padded wearily into camp, her head and tail still low, Rave following her. "Sparkystar?" Her soft voice called. "That's the leader of AutumnClan," Leopardback informed Rave. Her feelings were mixed about being back in AutumnClan. She was glad to be home, where she grew up ((i think that's what I wrote in her bio... 0.o)). But she was still rather upset. She was just glad that Rave was here now.

[Faulty]

Rave yawned as she padded up beside Leopardback. She hadn't slept for what felt like moons and it was getting to her. "Sparkystar?" She said still unable to grasp the concept of the clan names. The something icy settled in her belly. "Will I have to change my name, Leopardback?" She asked quietly not sure if her clan would be mad at her for questioning their way of life.

[Sparky]

Sparkystar heard a familiar voice calling her name and stepped out of her den. She blinked as her eyes met a foreign looking cat, then relaxed when she saw Leopardback standing beside her. She addressed Leopardback first, greeting her with a curt, but pleasant, nod. "Welcome back to AutumnClan, Leopardback." She said with a slight smile. "I'm very glad to have my medicine cat back." Her gaze returned to the unfamiliar visitor. "Who is this?" she asked, stiffling a small growl and forcing herself to smile warmly.

[K a r m a]

Heathersong padded out from the warriors' den, her tail flicking nervously. Leopardback. Just the cat she wanted to see. It had been quite a few days since Maplegaze had admitted his true and undying love to her, and the couple had spent an entire, not to mention very romantic, afternoon together. During the next couple of days, the two of them had been nearly inseparable, doing each and every one of their patrols together. Now Heathersong was beginning to feel a little sick, and she thought she ought to see a medicine cat about it. "Leopardback!" She called out, starting to make her way over, then took a step back as she spotted an unfamiliar she-cat in the center of the clearing. She had the scent of a loner, but Heathersong couldn't be sure. What was a loner doing in AutumnClan camp? Then she saw Sparkystar, this must be important. Foxdung! Heathersong inwardly spat, her fur bristling in frustration. I guess I'll just have to wait then.

[.:Drenchy:.]

"Mmm, I don't think so, Rave," Leopardback turned and smiled to the she-cat. She turned to her leader and gave a quick bow. "Pretty good to be back, Sparkystar." She smiled, glad she finally could after the past distressing days. She saw a fellow Clanmate coming toward her. "Oh, hello, Heathersong! I'll be just a moment, I believe!" She saw a message on the cat's face as if the cat had something she wanted to talk to Leopardback about. She turned back to Sparkystar."Oh, this is Rave. She's a loner, and I met her though a long, complicated story. See, um..." she trailed off remembering that she wasn't supposed to be in love with cats from other clans, let alone be in love at all! Nor to even meet other clan cats except in the Four Willows on the Full Moon. "Nevermind. But I truly insist that you let her stay in camp with us! Become a warrior! I can teach her everything there is to know. She's become... like a sister to me." She spit out the words, knowing who her actual sister was. "Please, Sparkystar?"

[Sparky]

Sparkystar tilted her head to one side and carefully studied Rave. The loner appeared to be strong, and AutumnClan could sure use an extra warrior. Besides, she couldn't turn Rave down without at least giving her a chance to prove she was worthy.
Leopardback seemed pretty certain about this as well. She, out of all cats would know how to make the right decision. Sparkystar knew she could trust her medicine cat's opinion. "Alright, Rave can join us." She spoke sharply, "But you have to be sure. Do you really believe she has what it takes to be a warrior?" She then turned to face Rave. "Rave, becoming a warrior takes more than just strength and skills. You have to be determined and loyal. You have to be willing to risk your life to protect our clan." Her eyes stared into Rave's firmly, and her tone was solemn. "Do you want to be a warrior?"

[Faulty]

Rave blinked. She wanted to stay with Leopardback, but what would happen if she wanted to go back to Karma. After a moment she shook her head. Lifting her gaze to Sparkystar's eyes she nodded. "Yes I would like to be a warrior, and if it isn't to much trouble to mark this new chapter is my life I would like to change my name to Ravewind." She said this last part more to appeal to Sparkystar. She didn't really want to change her name but she felt she would fit in more if she did.

[.:Drenchy:.]

Leopardback smiled again, glad Rave was sure she wanted to be a warrior for AutumnClan. Especially after Sparkystar's words, Leopardback wasn't sure how Rave would respond, knowing she'd want to go back to Karma. "Thank you," Leopardbakc rubbed her head into Rave's shoulder. "Uh, I have one request, Sparkystar. Can Ravewind sleep in the medicine cat den for a while? I'd like someone there with me. Besides, It's a bit lonely. Even if I do have an apprentice?" She remembered that she'd also left her apprentice alone. Oh, how bad she felt.

[Sparky]

Sparkystar smiled with pleasure at the loner's sense of confidence and dedication to her decision. Maybe she would turn out to be a fine warrior after all. "Very well then, Ravewind. I will accept you as one of my warriors."
She then considered Leopardback's request. She supposed she could allow Ravewind to keep Leopardback company. After all, she wanted Ravewind to feel as welcomed and comfortable in AutumnClan as possible. But then again, it wasn't exactly tradition for a warrior to stay in the medicine cat's den. She knew she shouldn't make an exception, even if Ravewind had just joined the clan. She finally came to a strict compromise. "Okay, Ravewind can stay in your den for a while," she offered. "But I'd like for her to stay in the warrior's den after she gets used to our clan traditions."

[.:Drenchy:.]

Leopardback's face brightened. Her smile grew wide. "It will only be for a while, I promise, Sparkystar! Oh, and do I have an apprentice?" She had forgotten much since she left AutumnClan.
Leopardback suddenly fell over, deep into sleep. She was swallowed by darkness and taken over. She heard a threatening voice ring in her ears.

Harmony and peace shall soon be disrupted,
The forest is in danger.
If StarClan is to do anything about it,
A cat from each Clan must be sacrificed.
The choice is yours,
Make the sacrifice or loose everything.

[Sparky]

Sparkystar flinched and stepped back as Leopardback collapsed. "Leopardback!" she gasped, nudging her urgently. "Leopardback, wake up!"

[Faulty]

Ravewind's ears flicked back. "Leopardback!" She yowled in fright. What was happing to her friend with a step forward she nugged Leopardback ignoring Sparkystar. "Leopardback?" She whispered softly.

[.:Drenchy:.]

Leopardback snapped up, eyes wide with fear. "Sparkystar, I had a prophecy." She looked around. "Can we go to your den? And Ravewind too?" I don't want to say it alone... besides, maybe Ravewind can help me. She's helped me this far along. I need all the help I can get! "It's bad... very bad." Tears came to her eyes.

[shadowfur]

magicpaw padded over to leopardback, "leopardback, i had a dream..." she sniffled a bit

[.:Drenchy:.]

Leopardback looked at her apprentice, finally realizing. Magicpaw's my apprentice! She smiled lightly. "It's okay, we're going to figure this out. Sparkystar," she turned to her leader, "lead the way to your den. We can't let this get out to the entire clan." Her eyes became worried again.