camp MY TOWN ↷ [ KIT RETURN]

[smogstar]

Sunstride had disclosed a traitor's presence among their ranks some days ago. A weasel who sought to undo ShadowClan's natural order from within. Living alongside this revelation set the deputy's teeth on edge—every glance, every murmur felt suddenly loaded with ulterior motive, and it sapped at his ability to trust completely.

Today, the WindClan deputy upheld his pledge. Halfkit and Tanglekit, held captive for an agonising stretch of sunrises, walk on ShadowClan soil once again. And Smogmaw, hostage to a moon's worth of prolonged dolor, at last set his eyes on the progeny he'd never gotten to know. His and his late mate's precious little ones, finally safe, returned home. The crusted snot and tearstains decorating his chest were proof enough they hadn't left the moors unscathed, either.

But the day's triumphs are all but overshadowed by the unsettling truth that now hovers above their heads. To sink his claws in Granitepelt's throat takes precedence over any familial bliss; the camp's floor must run red before the tom feels redeemed. Fretful clouds waft from his lips. The hollow's silhouette takes form just off yonder, treeline flanked by shadow. Eager and alight with worry, he follows in his leader's stead as the patrol gains on the heart of the swamp, his vision trained on the two pipsqueaks tottering behind.

"Ready to meet your clanmates again?" he asks through a coaxed smile, ears tipped rearward. Few kits can boast acquainting themselves with two separate clans. He can only hope, in the grand scheme, their memories about the whole ordeal are coloured by whimsy. Childish naivete tends to glamorise tragedy and paint adversity with warm pastels, after all. "Everyone'll be so happy to see you both again. Give them your greetings and head off to the nursery—it's rather late."

Accompanied by a soft hum, he raises his head and diverts his focus to the warriors in his midst. Sharpshadow. Frostbite. Scalejaw. Together, they stood as comrades in knowing the full, treacherous truth. They do not shoulder the responsibility of unveiling it, however. "Chilledstar will be taking private action against Granitepelt, I 'magine," Smogmaw tells them in little more than a whisper. Grave somberness marks his features and draws his muzzle low. "Do not say anything to anyone; people'll be curious, but they'll learn soon enough. If he tries to flee, though... cut him, and cut him badly."

And thus, the patrol maneuvres through the pines that guard their camp. Chilledstar does not break their poise as they summon the weasel away.

A peculiar joy, one undeterred by the circumstances surrounding them, invades his chest. Haunches settle on the soil, tail tucking over tense paws, and he looks upon the pair with the softest admiration his gaze could afford. "It's so good to see you both. Know that I love you, even if this is the first time we've met." ​

 

[Halfsun]

This whole situation felt like one big nightmare. Uprooted from everything she has ever known a second time, being told cats she had trusted had lied to her, that she had been stolen, though she had gone willingly enough. It was too much. Sootstar had protected them, Granitepelt was a lead warrior and her sister's mentor, these two adults were meant to be cats who she could take the word of without question and yet... She is quiet on the way home, stumbling along with the rest of the patrol and barely able to see the territory through the tears that still fill her eyes, her sniffles as she tries to contain her runny nose the only noise that could be heard. She feel defeated in a way that she has not yet before. So naive. So stupid. How could she have been so stupid?

When finally, mercifully, they make it home she looks up from her paws, looks at the camp that had begun to become a haze in her memories and her first thought is of Thornkit. She wants to find her sister and collapse into her, to wail her apologies to the stars all over again, this time in her presence. She hadn't meant it, she swears. She had thought... Well, it didn't matter what she had thought now did it? Smogmaw asks if she is excited to see everyone again and she merely nods, her eyes downcast. No, she is not looking forward to seeing everyone, for them all to look at her and know just how much of a dumb kit she truly was.

She moves to retreat to the nursery, her limbs feeling heavy and her body aching for a nest that is no longer hers when the voice of her father once again stops her. 'I love you' he says and her ears flick backwards, pinning against her head in poorly concealed discomfort. She could not say it back, not yet. "How can you love us if you do not know us yet?" she asks quietly, but there is no venom to her voice this time, no bite. It is an honest question, one that she fixes her mismatched blue eyes upon him for as she awaits the answer.

​

 

[Frostbite]

Frostbite is glad to return home with the kits at last, but what should have been a joyous occassion is also tainted by seething rage. It does not show on his face, he does not want to scare Halfkit and Tanglekit, but as soon as camp comes within view his gait becomes that of a predator, a wolf on the prowl. Granitepelt and Siltcloud are going to pay for their crimes tonight. He will make sure. Should they manage to escape his wrath, he'll make sure they don't forget the pain any time soon.

He smiles down at the kits. "Thornkit especially will be so happy to have you back, she missed you very dearly." He says.

He looks around camp as Smogmaw whispers and he leans his head closer to him to whisper back. "We should guard the entrance so they cant run. We still need to find Siltcloud." He says. "They need to be made an example of."

Yes, they must. If any other snakes are in their midst, they must know that they will be dealt with harshly. No more will Shadowclan be made to look incompetent. If he has to publicly execute someone tonight to get the point across, then he will.

Halfkits words have him softly pressing his nose to her head. "Parents love their kits before they're even born, before they even open their eyes. It'll be okay." He says gently, reassuringly.​

 

[Garlicheart]

Garlicpaw pays almost no mind when the patrol comes through the entrance to camp until she sees her two lost sisters with them. Her eyes water and widen, lighting up from the dull sad look they had before. Her little siblings were safe! They were okay, they hadn't been eaten and they dont look hurt! She is beyond relieved, her smile returns and she bounds over to Halfkit and Tanglekit and embraces them into a BIG HUG.

"HALFKIT!! TANGLEKIT!! YOU'RE OKAY, I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!!" She cries, but for once, it is from happiness. "I looked everywhere! Even under every rock! Are you okay??? Did you get hurt????"

She forgets that she might be smothering her little sisters, but she is so overjoyed and relieved that she only faintly hears the whisperings Smogmaw and the patrol. Something else goes on in her mind as she thinks about Applepaw and Ashenpaw, who were never quite fond of their little siblings in the first place. She finds herself thinking....That if they were to say anything mean to them, she might yell at them.

For the first time in her life, she would yell at her littermates if they dared say anything rude to these kits. She surprises herself with her thoughts. She's never had even the tiniest urge to be angry at someone..... But she wont dwell on it. For now, she's happy her family is less fractured than it had been before.​

 

[smogstar]

The innocent inquiry brings his head to a subtle incline. Just a fraction of a mouse-length, though enough to bespeak his concentration. He cannot fault Halfkit for her youthful understanding. She's still fresh into this world, and her wee claws still have yet to grasp unconditional love and kinship. In due course, she will come to know what he means, because in due course, he will demonstrate that he is the father worthy of her. "Frostbite is right," nods Smogmaw, who felt nourished by the lead warrior's previous remarks. "You embody me and your mother in equal parts—I know you very well, even if it doesn't feel like it."

Whatever peace the night had delicately woven is soon torn to tatters, much through the generosity of Garlicpaw. Her shouts leave their mark on the nocturnal air, and within moments, the apprentice enveloped her younger siblings in a messy but heartfelt hug. Even as his ears ring, the deputy feels a deep fulfillment in seeing their potent bond. It is strong and it will flourish, and it informs him that he has fared decently as a parent. Between them lies a connection unlike any he'd had with his own littermates.

I hear something.

Ears pivot without prior notice, angled at the den that Granitepelt had gotten beckoned into. Pinpointing the exact nature of what he has caught proves elusive. Nevertheless, it seizes his focus, and Smogmaw finds himself slipping away from the small crowd. "Alright," he mews, head held over shoulder for a rearward view. "Youse need to sleep. Garlicpaw, get your sisters to the nursery." A knowing glance is then sent Frostbite's way, and a nod is offered towards the camp's exit.

Whatever unfolds, they must be prepared for it. ​

 

[APPLEJAW]

A strange air sits above them all. One that she cannot name. Not once, as she rose for the day, had she questioned the absence of Chilledstar, or that of her father. Nor Frostbite, nor the two warriors that had accompanied them still. Applepaw has adjusted well to the new normal; absent of shrill squealing. Absent of distraction— because the only kit that remained was small and meek. She's dedicated herself to her training. Even is Smogmaw pushes his way into camp, kits in tow, Applepaw sits and wait for her mentor.

Granitepelt is then summoned away.

The apprentice swings her head, questioning eyes trained on her leader. She would say nothing, though. As she was, she had no right to question them.

As a daughter, she had the right to question something else. Halfkit and Tanglekit stand between them all, the former, quieter than Applepaw has ever seen her. Garlicpaw makes her presence known loudly, as usual. Today's outing apparently delayed, Applepaw steps closer. Not demanding, she says, " ...You're safe. " She cannot bring herself to smile.

To say she would've liked them to stay gone is not entirely true, she supposes. Acutely, her life would be much harder, once again. She feels the ghost of Halfshade around them both.

She looks to her father, but she finds that she doesn't quite know what to say to him. Clearly, he is busy. Later, she supposes. Who knew what it was the warriors were whispering about. A glance is spared to the leaders den, where Chilledstar and her mentor had disappeared.

Applepaw sighs. Wordlessly, she volunteers herself alongside Garlicpaw. Her tail gestures for the kits to come along. " C'mon, "

( one track mind, one track heart ) ༊ ( if i fail i'll fall apart )

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• 

• ( CAUSE I FEEL LIKE I'M THE WORST, SO I ALWAYS ACT LIKE I'M THE BEST ) APPLEPAW. apprentice of shadowclan. eldest sister to swanpaw, ashenpaw, and garlicpaw. ( + birdkit, halfkit & tanglekit )
  —— she / her; confused by the use of others.
  —— currently 8 moons old as of 11.17.23. ages every 17th.
  
  longhaired blue torbie with a white chest, paws, and underbelly. A young cat you would describe as " bossy, " Applekit is quick to take charge of any situation she sees herself as the probable head of. A rule - follower to a T, and thinks herself better than the majority of her clan for this. Not ignorant enough to think herself above a warrior, but seeks to gain that status as quickly as possible. Intensely self - motivated to be the best in a mixture of blind, childish desire, and never wanting to be afraid of anything ever again.

​

 

[scalejaw]

—————————————————【 she/her | menacing 】————————————————

【◈】 She felt successful, she really did. It was not her success, but one of Sunstride risking their neck, and the clan as a whole receiving Smogmaw's kits back into open paws. A soft breath left her maw as she padded back into camp behind her deputy, two fellow warriors, and two mis-adventuring kits. Her ears twitched, faintly amused for a brief second.

Chilledstar had departed as soon as possible to find Granitepelt, something she wished she had the opportunity to do. The murderous urge ignored for now, ears twitched as she listened to the other patrol members, and her head dipped. Quietly, she found herself circling the outside of camp slowly, and not saying anything in regard to her clanmates.

// in and basically out?

"yuh"

[penned by dallas].

​

 

[Muddypaw]

————————————————————⊰ ⊱———————————————————
Muddypaw worries for the kits like everyone else has, but it felt like his father worried especially hard, Frostbite had been friends with Halfshade and her death had taken a toll on the pale warrior; his grief was almost more poignant and sharp than even Smogmaw's whose was overshadowed by the loss of his mate but it seemed now they would all recieve closure and peace of mind. White limbs strut him forward, head bobbing in an enthusiastic nod of a greeting the moment he spotted the kits trailing in alongside the rest of the patrol.
"I'm so glad you all came back safe! You're almost apprentice age now right? We get to share a den now!" If he recalls correctly they were either just turning 4 moons or about to, the chocolate tom had never been very good at dates and often lost track of time easily.
He stumbles forward and bumps into Garlicpaw's side in a friendly gesture, happy his friend got her family back and that everything worked out but he had seen Chilledstar stalks off furiously with Granitepelt in tow and wondered exactly what was going on.
Where had the kits even been? Why was their leader so angry and what did Granitepelt have to do with any of it? His blue gaze drifts past his father to where Scalejaw arrives and then just as quickly takes her leave without a word and he wrinkles his nose.
Had something happened?

🤎 —— Children of the land, do you hear 🤎 ——— Echoes of truths that once rang clear?

•  
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  Muddypaw
  —⊰⋅ Apprentice of ShadowClan
  —⊰⋅ He/Him
  "SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  —⊰⋅ LH Chocolate w/low White & Blue eyes
  

 

[NETTLEPAW ♡]

Tension gripped the returning patrol, but Nettlepaw had never been motivated to pick apart where negativity stemmed from; no, it was only his duty to quash it with no questions asked. The return of Halfkit and Tanglekit was a triumph, and Nettlepaw had to admit he had missed them, even if only to himself. The worry that hat writhed within him for these kittens was held close to his chest, and he was glad that it would all go away, now.

Everything would be back to normal- there would be nothing amiss, and nothing missing.

Striding up beside Muddypaw, he smiled to rival the sunlight. "Hope you were practicing your hunting crouch while you were away, Halfkit," he encouraged, voice whipped with theatrical thrill. It was a stupid thing to say, but Nettlepaw knew it, and no ounce of his voice held any serious expectation. Anything to get her excited about apprenticeship again, after everything she'd been through.

Still, though- he had not missed that tension, even if he'd chosen to ignore it. He had not missed Chilledstar and his father, skulking to an unseen place. But for now, he could only- he would only- focus on what was for certain, and that was that Halfkit and Tanglekit were home. ​

penned by pin ♡​

 

[MIRESTAR]

☾. . ° ✦ It was a miracle, truly.

What had once been determined as something so unfortunate - the loss of kits were a hard blow, with the promise of strong paws joining their ranks when they were ready stripped - was now revealed to have been something completely different. Mirepurr itched under their fur just thinking about the injustice of it all. WindClan had been yapping nonsense at their borders for moons, but this had been a step taken too far...

Nevertheless. It was a time for celebration, not lamenting the cruelty of the past.

Mirepurr found their eyes get misty at the scene; a father welcoming his children back home, siblings reunited, a Clan gaining hope again. Their heart felt full at that moment, and this was worth every struggle up to this point.

"You don't need to know someone to know you love them fully," Mirepurr added on, settling on their big paws to crouch and meet the kits at eye level. Halfkit seemed particularly shaken, and they couldn't fault her for it. This- all of this- was scary, and to be a kitten in the meantime with only a flimsy grasp on the rules of the world? Terrifying.

Mirepurr rose to their paws and glanced at Smogmaw. "I'm so glad they're finally in their rightful place." This was where they belonged, not the moors and definitely not the crazed emeralds of Sootstar. "We'll make sure to accommodate them. It might take a bit for the confusion to wear off, but I'm certain they'll grow to feel at home again."

✧ ° . ✶ . ° ✧​

 

[ASHENFALL]

˚⊹₊‧ 𖦹 Ashenpaw wished the pit of dread left his gut at the sight of his siblings being herded through the entrance of camp. He should be crying out to the stars, thanking them for their miracle, for saving them from succumbing beneath the weight of yet another tragedy to befall their family had they never returned (or if they returned in a state less... whole.) Instead, all he could do was shift uncomfortably on his paws, hanging back awkwardly as the others showered them with their warm welcomes. "They're back..." he commented dumbly.

Eyes ghosted between the two kittens with confusion apparent on his face, they were shaken, with the residue of tears and snot still apparent on their pelts. But nothing else. They looked nothing like kittens who had been lost in the marshes, fending for themselves and catching meager prey, they were... taken care of. Anxiety fluttered in his chest as everyone around him seemed to pointedly ignore the dark cloud hanging over their camp, who had taken them? He looked at his father first, but he had already turned to whisper at Frostbite and pad away with stiff shoulders with the other warriors. He was left to trail after the small group that had surrounded Halfkit and Tanglekit.

"Where were you..?" Ashenpaw asked after them, perhaps inappropriately but unable to get himself to entertain distractions like his more tactful denmates. His words were lacking in their typical bitterness, though, the rise of nerves in his chest temporarily squeezing out the smog-thick darkness that so often flooded his head when he faced them on previous occasions.

FOLLOW THE TIDE ˚⊹₊‧ 𖦹 WITH THE MONSTERS ON YOUR SHOULDER

• OOC:
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  — ashenkit . ashenpaw
  — ftm transmasc. he/him. 8mo apprentice of shadowclan
  — longhaired muted blue torbie with heterochromatic pale blue and amber eyes
  — smells like rainsoaked ferns and swamp milkweed
  — "speech", thoughts, attack
  — icon by nya fullbody by tropics sticker by saturnid
  — penned by eezy
  — currently in an era of grief and anger, approach with caution. all ic opinions!

​

 

[THORNPAW]

After the powerful moment between her father and the evil cats that took her siblings, the barbary molly had been corralled away. Later coddled and soothed within the nursery by a kind Queen. Encouraged to rest, she lay balled up by the entrance of the Nursery. Nose rested upon her fluffy tail as she peered up at the sky. She had assumed it would be another long night of sleeplessness and unanswered prayers. Just as she had begun to accept said reality voices interrupted her gloom. Picking out the baritone of Smogmaw, the kitten was immediately alert and on all fours.

Slowly, the soft frame of Thornkit peered once more from the Nursery. It seemed her earlier answers would be resolved. Expression one of shock as the scene before her had only been in dreams. Albeit a bit different, but a welcome sight, nonetheless. Owl-eyed, she glanced around at the approaching cats before settling on Halfkit and Smogmaw. His declaration of familial love caused her to let out an audible whimper. A pain like no other blossomed across her entire being and melted into tired relief. Her legs felt wobbly and unsteady as she moved forward.

I can be brave just this once. There's no need to hide anymore. Pushing out of the den and turning to the gathered cats, her heart soared to life. It's them! Stepping further into the light, tears glimmered from her scrunched eyes. An ugly expression befell Thornkit as hearty sobs rattled their chest at every exhale. She had never allowed herself to cry in front of her family before, but she could not hold in the tsunami of feelings. Her head shook from side to side as the disbelief wore off. Throat tight with grief, a raw cry exploded from the blonde tabby's maw. "YOU'RE HOME!" A heartbroken wail trailed after her words as she rushed haphazardly to the respite of her siblings.

Passing through the throngs of paws and legs as she went and aiming to push herself into Garlicpaw's hug. Fat tears continued to roll down her chin as she aimed to smoosh her face messily into Halfkit's shoulder. Bawling wracked her body with pitiable sounds as every aching day she'd spent wondering, praying, and hoping released from within. Taking that time to re-learn breathing, sitting back in the embrace. She glanced up at her dad and Applepaw for a moment as she began to come down from the emotional high. The she-kit's face appeared smudged with wetness, but lighter than previous.

Spinning around, she took in the appearance of her other sibling and beamed. "I-I'm so happy." A broken purr pulled through the drying tears as she leaned to the side. Hoping to nuzzle Tanglekit's shoulder with similar longing. Voice a hoarse melody of happiness. "Don't you ever leave again! I was terrified!" Despite Smogmaw's gentle retort, and Ashenpaw's question, Thornkit stayed snugly beside her sisters. For a change, the world felt a little brighter, and she knew there would never be another sleepless night.​