I wanna [see] the [truth] in your eyes

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Her tail twitched as she loped easily into the center of camp and slowed her churning legs down to an easy trot. she padded toward the freshkill pile the ground cold and wet beneath her thick pads. She flicked her ears as she lay the squirrel, rabbit, and crow down on the pile. She turned and looked around the camp her eyes falling on the Medicincat's den. she trotted toward it but the wind buffeted her face, making her nose cold, like an icicle, but it carried her mates scent with it. She could smell he was coming her way and so she veered off to the left, her eyes watering against the cold wind, and the floating snow. She slipped into her den and with a mighty shake shook the tufts of snow off of her pelt. She took a deep breath drawing in the scent of her sandy moss covered den. She turned and sat looking toward the entrance and lifter her paw to wash her face, waiting for Lynxpounce, Midightdawn, and Taintedfaith to join her in her den to tell her of their travels.

[r a v e n]]*]

[TAINTEDFAITH]

"You think she's gonna be mad at us?"
"Most likely not, Lynxpounce. It's not in her to stay mad at me for too long. And as long as your with me, her temper will stay calm"
Ever since Lyncpounce had come to him as Midnightdawn had treated him, the young she-cat wondering what they were going to tell their leader. Taintedfaith had been calm all through it, even as Lynxpounce had wince while the medicine cat had patched up the deputy. He let out a slow breath, shaking his head then rolling his sore shoulders back. "She's just concerned, is all.
We've been gone for a couple of moons, and with Silentpaw..." He winced, shaking his head. The young medicine apprentice was still a hard subject for the dark tom to think about. He'd failed her so badly over the past few moons.

Lynxpounce gave him a sympathtic look, pressing against his bodyb to try and comfort him. "Okay. Let's get this over with. You look like you're about to collapse." She said with a light-hearted chuckle, padding at his pace as the two approached the leader's den. Taintedfaith stuck his head inside, smiling softly, tiredly. "Sapphirestar? You called for us? Midnightdawn will be coming along, but Lynxpounce and I are here" His voice was soft as he slipped into the den, Lynxpounce hesitating at the way her adoptive brother walked in, though she had been told everything between leader and deputy, and she still felt a bit awkward between the two. She slipped in after her brother, sitting slightly behind him as the deputy sat down, his tail curling around his paws.

[LYNXPOUNCE]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Her eyes flashed with anger as she heard the sound of her mate outside with his adopted sister. she wanted answers and she wanted them now. She flicked her tail around her paws and stared at Taintedfaith. Her eyes narrowed and she flicked her ears forward. She let the silence hang in the air for a long long minute. She took a deep breath and flicked her ears forward to hear what they were about to say. She tilted her head slightly to the side and her eyes narrowed angrilly so that only slits were visible. "First of all I am angry..." She said glancing at Lynxpounce for a heartbeat before turning back to her mate. She didn't care if the whole of the clan new of her love for him. She had been worried sick about him, about to tell Midnightdawn to suggest a new cat for the deputyship. She stared at him, her eyes flashing again, she wasn't sure he had ever seen her this angry. "Now tell me....What in Starclans name happened to you, and where is Silentpaw?" She hissed the last part her teeth glinting angrily. She didn't want to be angry with them, but she had been so terrified when they disappeared. She had fought so hard to keep the terror at bay, and when they had returned, she had been so happy the anger, and terror had to come out somewhere.

[r a v e n]]*]

[LYNXPOUNCE]

The tom's eyes had flicked between his mate and sister, settling on Sapphirestar as she mentioned Silentpaw. And he couldn't let the hurt stay out of his eyes. Lynxpounce came up beside him, pressing herself against his side for comfort. The deputy's eyes were on the ground as his thoughts churned, thinking it best to start with the fate of his... daughter. "She's with her mother now... StarClan thought it be best for her not to return with us" He murmured, eyes clenching closed for a moment as Lynxpounce's quiet purr filled his ears. Throughout their journeys, the two had gotten much closer. A stronger bond between them. Lynxpounce brushed her muzzle against Taintedfaith's before stepping forwards, bowing her head slightly to the leader.

"Silentpaw was Taintedfaith's daughter.. He had no idea, neither did she. If you'd remember, that rouge that came by a couple of moons before we left? She was a former warrior here. She never said her name, nor did she say where she went. But Silentpaw knew her automatically. And the two looked identical tot he other. There were no doubts that they were mother and daughter" The warrior murmured, glancing back at the deputy as he tried to grapple with his emotions, the very emotions that he had been holding in since they had left Silentpaw's mother. "He was young and stupid, unsure what something like that would result in. Tain wanted answers from her, as did Silentpaw. I.. I tried to stop them. But you know Tain.. he doesn't do well with orders" She chuckled softly, then stepped back as she felt Taintedfaith tug her tail slightly. She pulled back, watching her brother closely.

Taintedfaith stepped forwards, meeting the eyes of his mate and leader. "I'm sorry for not telling you. There wasn't that much time, love. Really. I would have told you had I been able to force Lynx back. But she's a stubborn girl, that one." He shook his head, letting out a slow breath.

[TAINTEDFAITH]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Sapphirestar listened silently her eyes still narrow, and angry with her mate and his sister. She flicked her tail tip showing her agitation. But as Lynxpounce continued the story, her anger ebbed, to pity, and then compassion. She let her eyes widen and fill with compassion, and her tial stopped twitching all together. She looked from one to the other, and her heart ached. She wanted to be the should for her mate, but she didn't know how. She dropped her gaze to her paws and listened to the last words. her mind was on what her actions should be. She had her answers, they weren't what she had wanted, He had had a mate before her? Why hadn't he told her? Why hadn't she known? they had been best friends since Kithood, she shook her head slowly and looked up, pain in her eyes now and stared at him. Her mouth parted once, then closed as if she couldn't find the words to speak. Then she attempted again, this time words poured out in soft longing tones, "Why didn't you tell me you had a mate before me?" she asked realizing now that that information hurt worse than thinking he had left her for another mate. Secrets and lies were not her thing. She flicked her ears asking Lynxpounce not to speak for her brother. this was an answer she wanted from him alone.

[r a v e n]]*]

[TAINTEDFAITH]

He winced slightly as he heard her voice. The hurt was clearly there and it sliced through him. The deputy glanced towards his sister's who's attention was with something outside the den, her ears flicked up, her face brightening slightly. Poisonhealer must have been out there. Or Russethawk. Letting out a slow breath, Taintedfaith sat back on his haunches, looking at his mate in the eye. "I never passed my mind, really. We weren't mates for long. Solara used me, then ran off. I never considered her a mate, Sapphirestar. I never loved her." He murmured, voice soft. His voice seemed to become consumed with grief as he thought again about the fact that he could have impregnated her with just one time. He closed his eyes for moment before opening them again, turning as he heard claws scraping the ground. His eyes narrowed slightly at Lynxpounce.

The she-cat turned her head as she felt someone watching her, stopping as she noticed her brother staring at her. She pinned her ears back, lowering her head slightly as she turned towards Sapphirestar. "He really didn't want to leave you.. He constantly spoke about you, Sapphirestar. I swear, if there were two cats that hated each other, it was Taintedfaith and Solara." She said, her head still lowered as she looked up at the leader, the over at her brother. Taintedfaith stepped forwards, brushing his muzzle against hers. "Solara meant nothing to me. You will always be the only girl in my head, love" He murmured softly, glancing back at his sister, then over at Sapphirestar.

"Well.... Um.. I'm feeling a but uncomfortable..,." She murmured, squirming a bit as she glanced back outside the den. She'd really said all that needed to be said for now. And if they continued to be all lovey, she was going to loose her... well, whatever was in her stomach, which wasn't much. She edged towards the den entrance, scowling as Taintedfaith laughed quietly.

[LYNXPOUNCE]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Sapphirestar watched the tom her eyes shinning lightly with forgiveness. She brushed her muzzle against his closing her eyes and drinking in his scent. she smiled lightly as Lynxpounce spoke. She dismissed the shecat to her mate waiting outside the den with a flick of her tail. She turned and looked at Taintedfaith, her eyes searching his. "And you will be the only tom in my heart." she mewed licking him affectionately over the ear. She brushed her body against him, and then sighed. "We need to talk with Midnightdawn. She will be devastated." She looked out of her den and across the cleaaring to where Midnightdawns den lay. She lifted her nose and let the scents of the clearing waft over her. "But she isn't here, it will have to wait, perhaps we need to have a clan meeting.' she suggested turning and glancing at Taintedfaith.

[r a v e n]]*]

[TAINTEDFAITH]

"Oh, thank StarClan!" Lynxpounce murmured, smirking at them before she raced out of the den, nearly tumbling over her mate. She squeaked, landing on her back and looking up at him with a playful scowl. "What'cha trying to do? Kill me my first day back?" She asked with a chuckle as she rolled over onto her stomach and looked up at him, a smirk across her face as she pulled herself to her paws, stretching her legs out with a long sigh. "It was getting way too mushy in there for me, if you know what I mean." She said, making a slight gagging sound before flicking her mate over the ear and nuzzling his cheek, hen pulled back with a yawn, shaking her head afterwards.

Taintedfaith chuckled as Lynxpounce shot out of the den, turning back and closing his eyes as he felt his mate rubbing against him. Oh, it felt good to have her scent wash around him. He let out a slow breath, opening his eyes to look at her. "I can tell her. It might be best for her to know about Silentpaw from the mouth of her... Father" He said, hesitating on the last word as he glanced at her. The pain that filled his eyes was quickly disguised as she suggested a meeting. "Perhaps... But would i be able to sit this one out, my love? I feel dead on my paws, and really need sleep.." He murmured, eyes flashing up to look at her, tail, normally flicking back and forth, was still as it laid on the ground, curled slightly in.

[LYNXPOUNCE]

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Saphirestar nodded slowly at his words about telling Midnightdawn. She flicked her tail forward and the feathery fur on it slid across the toms mouth shushing him. She leaned forward and touched her nose to his, letting the cold feel revive her and fill her with hope. She slid her muzzle past his nose and down his cheek. She let a purr escape her lips and run along her body infecting her from ears to tail tip. She pulled back and looked at him. She flicked her tial to her nest and smiled. "Use my nest if you need, and when you wake, I'll grab you some freshkill, and we can hold the meeting then." She mewed flicking her ears forward. She looked toward the entrance to her den and heard the scuffling outdside. "Perhaps Poisonhealer and Lynxounce would care to go on a hunting patrol, while you rest." She said and with a dismissive flick of her tail she trotted out of her den to leave her emotionally, and phsically exhausted mate to sleep.

Poisonhealer stodd at the entrance to the leaders den. He watched his mate race out towards him and trip over his tail. he smirked as she lay below him. he lowered his head and licked her cheek. "Yeah, all lovey, because we're never like that." he purred and nuzzled her chest before she rolled away to her stomach and stood and returned his nuzzle. He flicked his tail in greeting, as Sapphirestar exited her den. He figured that Taintedfaith would remain in the den to sleep. He looked at the leader and flicked his ears forward. "I'll take a hunting patrol out if you would like." he mewed and looked at the sky, it was just past sunhigh. "And perhaps lead the sunset patrol as well." he looked around camp and flicked his tail, he would have to find some warriors.

[r a v e n]]*]

[TAINTEDFAITH]

He didn't argue when she offered her nest. It had her scent heavy on it, and made him smile as he pressed his muzzle against her, licking her cheek before letting his bodyt brush hers as she exited the den, leaving him to curl up in her nest. And as soon as he did, her scent came over him. Taintedfaith let out a slow breath, shaking his head as he buried his face in his tail, the closed his eyes, immediately falling into a much need sleep.

"Well.. Not really. Only you are" Lynxpounce said with a smirk, nipping his cheek before shaking her head and glancing over at Sapphirestar, looking around the leader for her brother. She raised an eyebrow, then shook her head. Her tail flicked back and forth, shaking her head slightly before she glanced towards towards the warrior's den. What she'd really like to do was sleep, but a patrol would be nice. It meant more time with Poisonhealer, and that would be good, considering she needed to catch up on things in the clan. "I'll go. We can see how well I remember the territory" She said, smiling at her mate, then over at Sapphirestar, whom she leaned towards and looked inside the den. "How's he? Sleeping, i'm guessing. And he better stay there. He barely slept during the past few months." There was no denying the concern and sisterly-love that was in her voice as she smiled slightly, then turned back to her mate

[LYNXPOUNCE]

[x-Ginger-x]

Midnightdawn could tell her leader needed her, but first she needed to make sure Chikorypaw was comfortable. "Can you mix these herbs? All you have to do is chew them up. Make sure they're a pulp. then when I come back, I'll fetch you and the mixture, and show you how to put it on Taintedfaith." She nuzzled the young cat, reassuring her, before trotting to Sapphirestar's den.

Once she entered, she noticed the grim looks on the cats' faces. "Sapphirestar, what's going on?" She asked. She looked around and shook her head. "Where's Silentpaw? Didn't she travel with you? I wonder where she got off to." She added the last part to herself as she searched the faces of Taintedfaith and Sapphirestar. "Please don't say she died. I would never be able to live with myself if she died on that trip." She bowed her head, anxiety making her shoulders tremble, as she waited for the answer.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Sapphirestar rolled her eyes as Poisonhealer and Lynxpounce nuzzled each other and turned to her. She watched as Lynxpounce contemplated sitting out and was glad to see her volunteer. She nodded to Poisonhealer, "Grab Leaporfang and Nestpaw for the Hunting patrol, and Mapleleaf and Shadepaw for the sunset patrol." She mewed flicking her tail and looking then at Lynxpoucne. "Hunting patrol only. You, though you may not think so, need rest as much as Taintedfaith does." She flicked her tail finalizing the thought and opened her mouth to give another order, btu was cut off as Midnightdawn entered the scene. She let her eyes fall on the she-cat who had been her friend for seasons upon seasons. Since kithood the pair had been almost inseperable. Except that their paths had separated at apprenticeship. She shook her head and felt pain well inside her remembering gaining her life for protection. She closed her eyes and stepd forward wrapping her head around her old friends shoulders. She knew this wasn't the way Tiantedfaith had wanted it to come out, but it's the way it was happening. She pulled back and took a slow breath. "Silentpaw, though no one knew it, was Taintedfaiths daughter. He, Lynxpounce, and Silentpaw, left moons ago to find Silentpaws mother to get answers to some things. On their journey, Silentpaw was taken up to starclan, where she now hunts." She said pain filling her eyes and spilling over in tears for her mate and her friend. She took a step forward and nudged her friends muzzle trying to comfort her.

Poisonhealer flicked hsi tail in indignation at his mates words. "What? Such a cold hearted warrior as I? Lovey? You've got bees in your brain you've been gone so long." he teased and flicked her ear with his tail. he looked at Sapphirestar as the fae's exchanged words glancing at Sapphirestar and taking down the names in his head for thsoe who would go on patrol with him. he dipped his head and turned to Ask if Lynxpounce was ready when Midnightdawn trotted over. He listened to the exchange and shuffled his paws uncomfortably. He looked at Sapphirestar and watched as his leader teared, and told the sad tale of the med cat apprentice. He dropped his gaze and flicked his tial nervously. he was never one for grief. He wished only to serve his clan, and he hadn't known Silentpaw well, though her lose would be felt throughout the clan. He was sure they would sit vigil for her tonight. He looked longingly at the warriors den and shuffled closer to Lynxpounce brushing his pelt against hers.

[r a v e n]]*]

[LYNXPOUNCE]

Lynxpounce rolled her eyes slightly as the leader ordered her only to the hunting patrol. She bit her tongue, though. She had to. The tabby wasn't used to being around a leader, especially if the leader was her brother's mate. He'd have her head if he heard about her back-talking. Instead, the she-cat shook her head, turning as Midnightdawn approached. As soon as she spoke, her heart clenched. She turned towards the medicine cat with a pain expression, stepping forwards to offer a bit of comfort. "She always spoke of you fondly, Midnightdawn. She thought of you as her mother more so the Solara ever was" She murmured, pressing her nose to the medicine cat's cheek before pulling back and turning back towards Poisonhealer. She smirked slightly at her mate, then shook her head. She turned slightly towards Sapphirestar. "I promise not to go out on the Sunset Patrol. No matter how much I want to..." She said quietly, looking up at the leader. "Just.. Can you keep an eye on Taintedfaith? He's been having trouble sleeping.. And he always seems to wake with a panic..." Lynxpounce's voice was quiet as she looked at the leader, then turned back to her mate.

She smiled as Poisonhealer brushed against her, turning her head to nuzzle him back. "C'mon. Let's gather Leopardfang and Nestpaw and get going, before Sapphirestar decides I'm too tired to go" She said with a smirk, then bounded off towards the warrior's den, poking her head inside, then pulled back, turning towards her mate. "Uhh.. This is really bad, but who's Leopardfang..?" She asked with a slight smile, rolling her shoulders back as she smiled a bit sheepishly.

[Mossmask]

[Hey hey hey, so look who's talking now]

"I am Leopardfang," a dry voice drawled. Emerging from the warrior's den was a golden she-cat, her pelt rivaling the sun if not for her coat's shadowy rosettes darkening her complexion. Saffron eyes glanced at Lynxpounce and Poisonhealer without much interest as the young warrior yawned and stretched. To Sapphirestar, Leopardfang dipped her head deeply.

"I was Leopardpaw when you disappeared," the lean she-cat said to the other female warrior in between licks that washed her paws. "Am I so unforgettable that I was completely erased from your minds...?

"Anyway, I woke up and thought I heard my name," she said, finally sitting up straight and looking Lynxpounce and Poisonhealer in the eyes. "What can I do for you all...?"

[That's what this song's about, me]

"Look Who's Talking," (c) BoA[/i][/size]

[x-Ginger-x]

Midnightdawn could tell bad words were coming when her best friend padded to her and wrapped her tail around her shoulders. When she heard the words, she felt hollow. "N-No." She muttered, before butting her head against Sapphirestar's shoulder. "Why her? She was too young." She whispered, sobs echoing soundlessly into the den.

The only person who knew how she could feel was Sapphirestar, as they were so close. "Did she really think I was like a mother to her?" Her eyes lit up behind the tears, knowing her apprentice had loved her like a mother, just as much as she had like a daughter. "I hope she will be alright in Starclan. Are we going to have a ceremony for her?" She turned her dampened eyes onto Sapphirestar as she waited for an answer, leaning against her for comfort.