this could never start { ghost }

[ghostcry]

He suddenly turned desperate, begging her not to tell anyone- that it was vital it stayed secret. Part of her fully understood this fear, and she feebly murmured her promise to silence. Her gaze drifted up through the trees, watching the sky lighten and glow as sunrise approached. Despite the sudden outburst and Wildstar's odd fears, she found herself happier than she had been in a long time. The company of another cat was still so enlightening- especially a cat she now felt she could trust.

Her perfect little happiness was shattered, however, when the next words out of his mouth were that she had to go now. She looked back at him, attempting to mask the hurt and loneliness that sprung into her red eyes. Blinking away the emotions, she nodded her head, clearing her throat. Of course, what had she expected? She wasn't a clan cat, she couldn't stay. She should have just beem grateful for this brief visit- it was truly time for her to leave. Her eyes flicked away from him to study her paws as she nodded her head, "Yes, of course. I can find my way- you should return to your clan." She murmured, shooting him a feeble smile. It wasn't leaving this clan, nor him really that made her feel an ache in her heart. It was that she was now going to return to her alleyway, alone with only dogs and rats for company, and that would have to be fine with her. "Goodbye now Wildstar. Your secret is safe with me." As if I have anyone else to tell.

She turned, and bounded off in the direction she had come, tearing her way quietly through the early morning forest, heeding fair warning to the feeling in her gut to get back to Twolegplace and hide, before a clan cat- or worse, decoy, caught her scent and followed her back home, tortured her, killed her. It dawned on her that she may have evaded death when it came upon the cats of twolegplace years prior, but that didn't mean she was eternally safe now. She realized with a sick feeling, she should have never left the safety that was her disorderly, dangerous life.

[wildstar.]

"Goodbye, Ghost. Good luck on your travels," he murmured under his breath. He didn't even recall telling her that - it was as if someone else was controlling him without his consent. He watched the white-and-black she-cat slink back the way she had come, just standing there with mixed emotions in his eyes. Longing was there, but the other ones couldn't be placed by even him. His heart tugged him in her direction. He took a cautious step her way, but then something told him not to follow. The ThunderClan leader watched the rogue pad through the dense forest in the dawn's light, until she disappeared on the horizon. Ghost was gone. Forever. Then it was Wildstar's turn to go away from the Twoleg nest and go home. What would he do there? Patrols needed sent out. Without a deputy, he would need to be there otherwise there could be some fighting. He doubted that, but he couldn't be too careful. With a frown on his face, Wildstar raced away from the direction Ghost was heading. Their paths were separated - they didn't need each other. Ghost was a rogue - he was a Clan leader. They were exact opposites. It could never work out. As he neared the camp, he thought for a moment. ThunderClan needed a deputy. Wildstar had been leader for two moons now and yet there was no one that fit the deputy position. They needed one quickly, otherwise StarClan and the four Clans would be angry. But what about the great Firestar? There was a time he didn't choose a deputy for many seasons. What if that turns into me? He actually didn't like that thought. He needed a deputy. Who fits that position, though? Nobody in the Clan for sure.

Something popped into his head. A warrior shouldn't know about decoys, and Ghost seemed so reluctant to leave that he still saw her discouraged face in his thoughts. He stopped dead in his tracks right in front of the Clan entrance. The leader could hear tired mews and questions coming from below his paws. They'd be wondering where he was. But he didn't have time to explain - he had to go somewhere. He turned tail and fled the way that he had come, running like the devil was on his paws. His tongue lolled from his mouth as he bolted straight back to the Twoleg building. "Ghost!" he cried. "Hey, Ghost! Ghost!" He continued to call the white-and-black she-cat's name, but it didn't seem to be working. Wildly sniffing the air, Wildstar cast his head back and forth, calling and calling for the rogue cat. She didn't seem to be responding. Maybe she was gone already. Not trying to be down, Wildstar quickly whipped around and raced toward WindClan territory. Everything was moving so fast that his his tail was streaming behind him in a blur. "Ghost!" he cried again, only this time there was desperation in it. "Ghost, don't go! I have something to ask you!" He heard the trickle of water and saw that trees were beginning to thin out. Now and then he saw the flash of a moorland about the trees. "Ghost!"

[/i] he screamed at the top of his lungs.[/size][/blockquote]

[ghostcry]

She had picked up the pace quickly- but all to soon found herself heading- not to her old home, but to the moors of what Wildstar had told her was WindClan. The breeze of the moorlands began to tug at her fur as she left the trees, a rippling stream creating a visible boundary between the two clans. The forest behind her began to sing with life as the dark, clear sky above teh moor began to show the beginnings of dawn. She came to a halt, staring at the rolling hills, not knowing what she was doing. She didn't want to go home, not to the desolation and emptiness. Maybe it was time for her to move along- to head through the Clan territory and see what came after it. There had to be more to the world that this.

She made a running leap, landing neatly on the other side of the stream, and with her heart in her throat, braced herself for a mad dash through the open territory- when she heard her name. Ghost! Swiftly, she spun around, gaze locking into the murky shadows of the forest, and the calling continued, growing more desperate. She bounded back and leaped over the stream, waiting in the shadows until the source of the noise appeared- Wildstar. She blinked her eyes in surprise, watching him. What was he doing out here. She hesitated, but stepped forward from the shadows, approaching him with her head slightly tilted in curiosity. "Wildstar?" She asked, stopping a few taillengths from him, eyeing him. "Is something the matter?

[wildstar.]

Up ahead he could see the black-and-white she-cat leap over the thin stream. The border with WindClan. Oh no! he thought desperately. Ghost seemed deaf to his cries, but then he realized that he pondered too soon. For then she spun around in her tracks, red eyes searching for a bit. Then they locked into him, their eyes meeting for a moment as he raced toward her. The rogue quickly crossed the creek again, but then she hesitated when she got into the forest shadows. Why was she standing around? It made Wildstar have a small flame of doubt. Should he really have come back for her? Maybe she was right where she belonged and shouldn't join his Clan. But something little in his head told him to ask her anyway. Better safe than sorry. Ghost then stepped out from the darkness and asked him what was up with him. Wildstar allowed himself to go completely blank before meowing quietly, "Ghost, there is something I must ask you." He wondered what she would say - most likely no, since it was rare for a loner to join one of the four Clans. I have to know what she'll say, otherwise it will bug me fore the rest of my life. I have to ask her now. It's now or never... he thought. He opened his mouth to talk, but the cat talking was not him. It seemed like a completely different creature. "I was wondering... would you like to join ThunderClan? You'd be welcomed with open arms. Now that I know you know about decoys, what better place is there to be than in a Clan, surrounded by friends?" Wildstar blinked warmly. At first he thought she would refuse, but he remembered her face she he had told her to leave his territory. Crestfallen and sad - like leaving was the last thing in mind. That thought gave him a little bit of hope. "You'd be protected in ThunderClan, and it is very unlikely that decoys will come after you if you're in a group..." He gulped in air nervously, eyes shifting back and forth as if he thought an evil cat would leap out of the dark bushes at any moment.

"And... if you want," he meowed quieter, purring with undisguised delight, taking many steps toward her. "You could be my deputy." He looked at her with desperate, pleading yellow eyes that had so much emotion it could have blown a Clan she-cat away. But Ghost was battle-scarred and was just... well, a rogue. She seemed harder and more emotionless than any normal Clan gal. But that's what made Ghost different from all of the rest. "If you wanted to, you could change your name to whatever you'd like. I could help you think of one." What if she joins but doesn't want to have a warrior name like the rest of you? a tiny voice questioned in his head. He quickly shook it away, trying hard to concentrate on Ghost and Ghost alone. There couldn't be any distractions right now. He had just one more question for Ghost, but it seemed like the hardest to ask. Blinking slowly at Ghost, Wildstar's tail twitched nervously. What would she say? That was the only thing running through his head at that time. Nothing else. When he was ready, he murmured, "What do you say?" He grinned a sweet, boyish smile, blowing it her way. His throat rumbled with a purr even though fear pulsed through his veins.

[ghostcry]

As he began to speak, she sat with her head slightly tilted, curiosity painted clear in her eyes- until he got out his question, and it turned to shock. She was being offered a chance to stay? It was an honor, she knew, and she hardly even had to think about it- she wanted to say yes, even prior to him telling her all the benefits she would have in the clan. "Yes Wildstar, I'll stay." She purred, her eyes closed in delight. She would have a real home now, among her own kind, no more rats and dogs, or twolegs shouting at one another. No more cold memories of death every time she had to look at the alleyway her family had been slaughtered in. No more complete fear of decoys taking her out because she was a loner.

He went on, in his own appeal of joy, to ask her if she wanted to be his deputy- and that was even more shocking than asking her to join the clan. She was a loner- a good, smart, strong loner, but a loner none the less. As she dwelled on it, however, she realized why he was offering it. She knew about decoys, as did he, and he had explained that the medicine cat and deputy were the two closest in rank to the leader, who he would have to confide in with his problems, and if his deputy couldn't know of decoys, where would that leave him. She gave a nod, "Although I worry as to how ThunderClan would take to a loner coming in and suddenly being deputy to the clan, I formally accept." She couldn't help it, for all of the formality she had accepted with, she was beaming with more happiness she had ever felt since her family was murdered. That thought brought her back down to earth- they were dead, and she was now banded with cats who knew of them, feared them, and hopefully wanted their downfall.

[wildstar.]

"Thank-you, Ghost. I appreciate that you'd accept the position. Anyone else might have been unsure about taking second-in-command. I believe that you can make it though. I've taught you everything a warrior should know about the Clans, and maybe with some persuasion ThunderClan and maybe the other three Clans will see that and just let you be. I think you'd be a great deputy," he meowed carefully, "despite your past and where you came from. But that doesn't matter, really." Wildstar sighed heavily. "Hopefully everyone else will see it as that." Even with his depressing words, he gave Ghost a small, reassuring smile. Worried clouded his bright yellow eyes. He knew that she wouldn't be approved of at first - it was just a fact. She used to be a rogue, and they wouldn't be able to get past that for many moons. But once they see past her history they'll see a curious deputy that was born to be a Clan cat. Ghost deserved a chance. I'll have to announce that she's the new deputy when we get back. The ThunderClan leader yawned loudly, showing dull white teeth. "Well, let's go. The camp is this way," he meowed with one last glance at Ghost. Then he trotted away at a slow pace so that the white-and-black she-cat wouldn't get too far behind. He was just running along with nothing in mind, when suddenly something clicked in his head that made him stop abruptly in his tracks. "Hey, Ghost..." he murmured, then wondered if she could even hear him. "Ghost, I just thought about something. You know how my name is, Wildstar? And I mentioned that my apprentice was Warpaw... Well, if you couldn't tell, our names are different than rogue names." Wildstar wondered whether or not to ask her this or not. But it was for the better. "You see, if you joined the Clan, became the deputy, and kept your name as Ghost, there would be some major problems. I mean, cats probably wouldn't respect you as much." He paused, very nervous and uncertain.

"I know this is a lot to ask you, Ghost. But Clan names are different... so you might have to change your name. If you want to, that is." Wildstar meowed. Then he continued, "If you want, I can help you with name suggestions. If you want to change your name. You don't have to, but I think it would cause less trouble." Wildstar was at a complete stop now. He shuffled his paws uneasily. Would Ghost hate him for this? He just wanted her to settle into ThunderClan easily with little to no problems, and making her name be warrior-like would make it better. "You could keep the Ghost part of your name, but just add like 'foot, or 'heart, or 'eyes, or anything else to the end." With another hesitant pause, he meowed louder, "I already have some names in mind. Ghostfog, Ghosteye, Ghosteyes, Ghostfrost, Ghostscream, Ghostcry, Ghostfrost, Ghoststare, Ghostleap, Ghostmist..." He allowed his voice to be trailed off. If she even wants to change her name. She may not want to even join once she knows this.

[ghostcry]

Ghost listened, pride welling in her chest as she suddenly realized she was going to be second in command of a clan. This was also paired with fear as she realized how little she knew about interacting with other cats, however she figured this was her chance to learn- she'd have to learn, if she'd have any chance in clan life. He yawned and started away, and without hesitation, she padded to his side and trotted along beside him, towards the camp.

Once they were deep into the woods, he paused again, speaking of her name and that she would need to have to changed to blend completely into clan life. He listed some ideas for her, and she stopped, pondering them. Ghostleap? Ghostfrost? Ghostmist? They all seemed so... strange. No cats she had ever known, prior to meeting Wildstar, had names like that. Did all clan cats? She didn't need to ponder this before deciding it was true, all cats did. As weird as it was, however, she was curious. It seemed like an.. achievement. Sure, born a loner, it was a treat what you would get, Fern, Claw, Rock, Ghost, there were many things when you were born. It seemed clan cats however got a name, then they one day got a full name, from a 'kit, to a 'paw, and then... anything. Fernleap, Clawfur, Rockfall, Ghost... Ghost? The ideas he had laid out before her seemed endless, and she knew there were more. She couldn't ever decide, and so she gave him a warm, almost affectionate look, butting his head with her shoulder. "Oh, I think its best if you decide for me, Wildstar."

With that, she began walking again, knowing he'd trail behind. There was always the chance the clan wouldn't accept her, that they would rebel but she held no fear, only a strong confidence that she had in herself, plus the added faith of knowing Wildstar was right there with her as they went through the thick forest, towards the camp, the scent of cat growing stronger, leading her toward her new life.

[wildstar.]

The ThunderClan leader paused, thinking about the night that had passed so quickly. Already they had a new member for the Clan that was a former rogue. If Ghost liked the named, he would call her Ghostcry. The whole Clan would, actually. Ghostcry. He thought the name over and over again in his mind. The tabby tom thought that it would be a bit rude to change her name completely and not keep the 'ghost part of it, so he wanted to at least keep that. When he mentioned the other names, it seemed like she wasn't pleased with them. But what had she looked like when he suggested Ghostcry? The 'cry part of the name is because it seemed like she was crying for a different lifestyle, pleading to join ThunderClan. She'd cried out to him in the foggy night, curiosity burning in her red eyes. "How about Ghostcry? How does that sound?" he meowed after she told him it was probably best for him to think up of a name for her. She'd keep the name her entire life, he realized, if she likes it. Until she joins StarClan? Maybe can can be privileged to join it if she makes a good cat, an amazing deputy, and truly believes in StarClan. Maybe then, when we both die, we can see each other. But it was too soon for him to be thinking about death. He felt the affectionate nudge of Ghost's head, and he purred delightfully her way, a smile on his face. Then his keen ears picked up the steady murmur of cats, and he smelled the camp. The leader stopped, waving his tail for Ghost to do so, too.

"You're entering a new world, Ghost. Once you become ThunderClan's deputy, there is no going back to a rogue. Do you accept this?" he asked. This time there was no nervousness in his voice, only pure thoughtfulness and curiosity. He looked down the thorn tunnel and saw a little strip of the ThunderClan camp in the half light. He took a glance up at the brightening sky. The dawn patrol would be back any time now, and that would be when he'd call the meeting. He turned his attention back to Ghost, yellow eyes round. "Are you ready? We need to hold a meeting to announce your arrival. And that you're the new deputy." Wildstar gave her an encouraging nudge on her shoulder. He knew that she should be scared - who wouldn't be? It was only natural for a cat to have fear. But he wanted her to know that they would face it together. It had been him, after all, that had welcomed her to the Clan and with the high position. She hadn't asked for it.

[ghostcry]

Ghostcry. That would be her name now- she'd need to get used to it. She nodded in silent agreement to the name, watching him stop and face her, his gaze now serious, there was no fear, no doubt, just a complete and utter calm- and it strengthened her. "I accept, Wildstar, and I'm ready." She was surprised by how assured she sounded, even how she felt as she turned and followed him towards the thorn tunnel. She allowed him to slip inside first, peering after him, and swallowing hard when she heard the clan greet him- so many cats, so many.

Her claws sank into the dirt as she tried to steel herself against what she would do next. She had been a loner, the only loner, for so many years, so many she had lost count- and now, she was plunging into a clan of who knew how many cats, as their deputy. Their care would be in her paws as much as Wildstar's, and she would now have to face that duty whether she liked it or not. It also dawned on her that, new name or not, they may not accept her. Clan cats had their pride, and their issues with loners, what about what joining the clan, suddenly ranked above them? She realized she somewhat feared for her life- but it was too late now to make any changes. She would follow Wildstar's will until life was stripped from her. I am a ThunderClan cat.

She retracted her claws, and willed away all fear, all nervousness, storing it away deep inside of her ad forcing the calm to come forth and keep her sane. She suddenly felt old and wise with her posture and mentality, taking a deep breath, and keeping her head high and tail level, she stepped into the tunnel Wildstar had disappeared down, the thorns combing through her milky, spotted fur, and within moments, she stepped out of it, into a wide clearing filled with cats doing various things, eating, grooming, at peace as the morning light began to seep into their home. All was normal, natural, until... "It's a rouge! We're under attack! Get it!" A burly tom darted towards her, puffed up and looking violent. From what Wildstar had told her, he was a clan cat, he couldn't kill her, not directly, but even if she knew better, she feared for her life, but instinct kicked it and she leaped nimbly out of the large toms way, her eyes blazing with life and defiance at his attack, although she showed no outward hostility towards her attacker. A few more seemed poised to attack, low growls in their throats, but despite the fear churning in her belly, she met them all with calm, blazing red eyes, a high head, and a relaxed, calm posture, before looking to Wildstar, giving him a gentle inclination of her head, prompting him to stop them and start the meeting, while trying to convey with her eyes that it was okay- she was okay- not scared off, not angry, calm and still ready to accept her new life.

[wildstar.]

The ThunderClan leader stood in the half-light: proud, majestic, magnificent. His pale brown tabby fur seemed to glow like Ghost's fiery red eyes, turning yellowish. His honey-gold eyes blinked ever so calmly as he gazed down the thorn tunnel. It was the entrance to his camp - his Clan, the home that he'd lived in forever. In the corner of his eye, he turned to look at Ghost. Was she frightened? Although she seemed wise and courageous, what her mind panicking? She was the new deputy. She had to be. What was the point of being a leader who knew about decoys if he couldn't have his first-hand adviser know, too? He didn't want to go around and tell a warrior that would become his deputy about them; they would just go wild. But since Ghost was a rogue - no, former rogue - she worked out perfectly. Wildstar, with one last look at the off-white she-cat, padded down the tunnel with no emotion. He was calmer than he had been in his entire life. What greeted his soft eyes was a welcoming, warming Clan that had been expecting his arrival. It touched his heart that they already had faith in him, even though he hadn't named a deputy in two whole moons. They loved him, cared for him. It put him at peace until he smelled Ghost once again. She'd silently entered the camp after him, and right away there was anger and the slight smell of fear. He saw a big, burly tom come his way toward the loner and leader. No! Wildstar could tell that he was just about to attack. "Otterstrike, get-" But the tom had already leaped to where Ghost... was? She had jumped neatly out of the way from his big paws as if nothing had gone wrong. Wildstar was stunned.

Wildstar stared coldly at the ignorant warrior. "Otterstrike, if I was in danger, don't you think I would have told you to attack her?" He turned his head to face Ghost, beckoning her with his tail to his side. "This," he meowed proudly, eyes gleaming happily, "is Ghost. I met her not far from the abandoned Twoleg nest out in that nightly fog. I told her all about the Clans - the warrior code, StarClan, The Place of No Stars... Everything." He obviously left out the part about decoys. Only him, the medicine cat, and now Ghost knew of them. He was glad to have Ghost on his side. From what he'd already seen, the former loner was very nimble when it came to fighting. She was very quiet when stalking - like a ghost. "After that I made my way back to the Clan. Something had popped into my head, though. I hadn't picked a deputy for such a short time because I don't think that anyone here needs or deserves the position. But Ghost is something different. She understood everything right off the bat and listened to me." The leader gazed at the new deputy with affection in his eyes. "I ran back to her and asked her if she'd like to join ThunderClan and become the deputy. Of course, she accepted, otherwise she wouldn't be here right now." He paused, allowing the members of his Clan to digest what he had said. After a few moments, he meowed louder, "She has agreed to be called Ghostcry. So welcome your new deputy, cats of ThunderClan."


OOC: Do you want to have a ThunderClan meeting thread now, or should we just do it here so we can finish it up quicker?

[ghostcry]

(Just keep it here)


She averted her gaze from the Clan when Wildstar spoke, focusing on him and padding to his side when he motioned with a flick of his tail for her to join him. Her heart throbbed in her chest, although she tried to show no outward emotion, preferring to keep a calm, cool, collected feel about her. She sat stood next to him, keeping her head high, and once again locking her eyes on the clan, not looking twice at the tom who had lunged at her.

Wildstar went on to explain who she was, where she had come from, and all he had told her, before finally speaking of her new role as deputy. He paused to let it sink in, but Ghost knew better- it wasn't a thoughtful silence, they were all in shock. A rouge as deputy? Crazy- but no one spoke up as he announced her new name, Ghostcry, and finished up that speech. The Clan was still frozen for a few moments, before a few cats spoke up, shrieking angrily. Jibes and snarls rang out "A rouge?! You can't make a rouge deputy!" and "We don't even know her! She could be here to kill us all! She could be leading an attack!" and another, sharper one, "You should have just killed her, Wildstar, when she entered our territory. I will not respect her." That final voice belonged to the burly brown tom who had attacked her earlier, his ears flat against his head, spite in his eyes. This was her time, she knew, this was a test she would need to prevail at- if she was to be their deputy, she needed to demand respect.

She raised her tail, halting Wildstar before he could speak to defend her again. "Enough." Her voice was quiet, but powerful, efficiently silencing the yowls of protest. Her red eyes narrowed and focused on the tom glaring at her. "Now, Otterstrike, was it?" She asked, stalking toward him with her head high, a lack of fear showing on her face, the cats around him moving away as if she carried the worst sort of plague. "Otterstrike, you are one of the many cats of this clan, but still you, as a cat, represent ThunderClan- and how is it represented should you show such bitterness against your own deputy?" She flicked her tail, motioning to Wildstar. "To defy your own leader, to question his actions?" She still had not raised her voice, but the intensity in her gaze, and the power in her voice melted the tom's glare and even his pride a bit, making him calm. She raised her voice, calling out to the entire clan. "I may be a rouge, but I will not disappoint you, and I will do my best to be as any of you would be. I will be a loyal ThunderClan cat and work my hardest and all I ask of you is respect and acceptance, if I may." She ended her little speech then, turning away from Otterstrike and returning to sit by Wildstar's side, looking to the leader for any further words from him.

[wildstar.]

Things were spinning a bit out of control now, and it was Wildstar's duty to weave those threads back into one unit. The ThunderClan leader shook himself calmly, facing the rows upon rows of cats. If they all refuse to accept my decision, what will I do? he thought wildly. It was something new that he could have never planned for. He knew that they were all upset that he hadn't named a deputy for two whole moons, and maybe that could make them even angrier that a former rogue was becoming one. She would lead them next in line unless she died for him. Ghost will be a fine deputy and a wonderful leader. Nobody has anything to worry about. But he knew if he had been a warrior and if Thornstar was welcoming a loner to be the new deputy he wouldn't be pleased. He'd be pissed off, actually, almost like Otterstrike was right now. Only he wouldn't attack the cat without his leader's permission. He looked over at the big brown tabby tom and was disappointed as well as disgusted. After he'd finished his small speech, there were yowls of protest coming his way, such as, "Why does she get to be deputy? I'd make a better one than her - plus, she's a rogue!" and "What is this nonsense? A leader welcoming a loner to be deputy? Wildstar must be mad!" The tom felt angry that his Clan could get like this to a new member and to their own leader. It enraged him and make his body pump and his yellow eyes flash dangerously. He was about to speak up for Ghost and himself, but that was when she got to the kill first.

His mouth was just open, flapping like a limb broken, as she spoke. But he didn't butt in - no, her quiet yet firm voice and tone was perfect. And her words. Everything. Ghost handled the Clan like he could have, which was something she did well. He closed his mouth and allowed her to finish before he'd take charge. Wildstar didn't even want to look or speak toward Otterstrike. Anyway, he thought that Ghost had told him off, and that it wouldn't be too kind of him to add into what she'd said. "I'll hold a meeting right now," he meowed loudly over the talking ThunderClan cats. Wildstar raced past his Clanmates, feeling all alone in the crowd. Ghost was behind him and probably wouldn't understand what he was going through. His own Clan didn't accept him or hid decisions. It seemed like a whole lifetime to reach the Highledge where he would call to the Clan. But finally, somehow, he got there and leaped up onto the ledge. His yellow eyes gazed down onto the many cats. What was in his eyes? Disappointment, anger, and loneliness. Could they all see it? Maybe... But no one really knew him very well. He'd grown up with little or no friends, even his own family had hated him. Ghost was probably the best friend he'd had. Could she read his eyes like a loud battle cry on a field? He wondered if she could. "Let cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" he yowled, a slight bit of his emotions in it. It was actually pointless to call to them, because everyone was out from their dens. He tried to control himself as he watched the cats shift closer to the ledge. The leader was quiet when he sighted Ghost. Then he jumped off of the high rock.

[ghostcry]

As she finished speaking, the clan was silent for a moment, before soft mutters continued- but as it was, there were no longer any loud outbursts. Behind her, she heard Wildstar rush off, and when she turned at his voice, he was perched on a high ledge of stone, looking down on his clan as they gathered closer, giving her wide berth as if she was still going to turn and kill them all.

She didn't let their attitudes and the glares she felt burning into her fur affect her- she kept her shoulders square and her head high, curling her tail elegantly around her front paws, red eyes peering up at Wildstar as if she had sat there her entire life- and in that moemtn, if not for the discimination, the way she held herself, proud and serene, it seemed as if she had been born Ghostkit of ThunderClan, and was now going to become a warrior after moons of training- but as jeers rang out behind her, the occasional hiss, and the sound of queens ushering even their full grown kits, how warriors, to keep their distance from the rouge. She would kill them.

Inside, she felt a mess, she had never felt so hated, so unwanted, and it left a cold, dark pit in her stomach. She knew for a fact she wouldn't be sleeping with the warriors tonight, even if that meant she had to sleep outside somewhere, they would be no curling up in a nest among cats who she feared would attempt to slay her in her sleep. In fact, the only cat she didn't fear was the only cat she felt wanted her there as much as she wanted to stay- Wildstar. She never took her gaze off the of the tom, sitting high above his gathered clan, the cat who was putting himself on the line with his faith in her, and now it was all she could do to watch him with a captured gaze, eyes filled with trust in him, no matter what.

[wildstar.]

But he wasn't alone. He still had Ghost, and she needed him now. She was probably feeling bitterly hated since the glares at gotten worse since they first arrive. Cats will start attacking her soon. I need to get a move on. he thought with a sudden flash. He spoke quickly, almost a fish going downstream in a river, "Ghost, you have proved yourself worthy to be a warrior of ThunderClan." Did he hear some cat say 'lucky to be a warrior'? The leader refused to believe that someone had spoken those horrid words, and turned his attention back to his deputy. It was like he was all alone in a huge den with just the white-and-black she-cat, that the cats didn't care that she used to be a rogue and that they were just together. Wildstar felt a stab of sympathy and compassion toward Ghost. She looked so strong and proud right now - but inside she must have been panicking. Who wouldn't be? But her red eyes were held up, calmly looking at him. A purr rumbled in his chest despite the situation that they were in. With so many hated yowls and mad words, everything was at peace inside of Wildstar. Just at that moment he felt happy as he stared into a haze of orange-red. But it disappeared when he shifted his eyes upward to look at a disappointed Clan. "More than a warrior. Ghost, from this moment on you shall be known as Ghostcry." He hoped she liked the name he chose for her. It kind of fit the black spotted she-cat with fiery eyes. He'd never seen or heard of a loner joining a Clan, let alone becoming deputy, so he had to improvise on what to say. It would be just like welcoming a new warrior, right? His yellow eyes almost got messed up and mixed into her fire-red ones until he shook himself, remembering that he had to speak. "StarClan honors you for your courage and wit." That was right, wasn't it? He placed his head on her shoulder and then gave it a swift lick. Under his breath he murmured, "Welcome to ThunderClan, Ghostcry..." Then he pulled away, eyes sparkling like gems.

"You will be my first deputy. I think that Thornstar would approve of my choice," he meowed much louder. There were a few snorts of disbelief - but they didn't know that their former leader had been a decoy and that Wildstar now didn't like him. Thornstar probably would approve of Ghostcry since he'd want to be on the new leader's good side. But Wildstar would never forgive his former mentor for his sins - no, he'd have to earn forgiveness. "I know he would," he murmured encouragingly, mostly to the newly named Ghostcry. He looked up from his new deputy and saw most of the cats were angry. The leader could smell their fear - and it was understandable, though. But they didn't have to make Ghostcry feel so uncomfortable. She was their new deputy and they should have full respect. They probably expected me to pick Hawkclaw or Eagleclaw, since they're more experienced than Ghostcry... But I still think that she can be a good deputy. She knows about decoys, too, and I need a second-hand adviser to know about them. What was she feeling? As the meeting broke up, he wondered why no cat had called her new name to the sky. All alone, he yowled to the morning sky, "Ghostcry, Ghostcry!" Some cats looked at him like he'd gone mad, but he didn't even care. "Did you want to come to my den? ...You don't have to sleep with the warriors if you don't want to." He knew it was sunrise, but his paws were aching and he was thoroughly exhausted.

[ghostcry]

She sat proudly through the ceremony, despite the sneers she was receiving- and she was able to tune it all out once he named her Ghostcry- she was now a true warrior- at least in her eyes, but to the Clan, she feared she would always be a loner. The clan was silent when she knew they were to be cheering for her- but only Wildstar's lone yowl pierced the air, cheering her new name. She shot him a grateful glance and sat, the clan finally starting to disperse, moving to their dens, and out of camp- no one even pausing to greet her or speak to her in any way.

She watched them until Wildstar spoke, asking if she wanted to sleep with him. She looked at her new leader, and realized how exhausted he looked- who exhausted she felt. She had spent the entire night roaming the forest, and eventually caught up with Wildstar, it was best for her to get sleep. She nodded, following him toward the cleft in the rock where he seemed to sleep. Once they were a good distance from the rest of the Clan, she dipped her head, as if the world was now weighing on her shoulders. "It seems I am at their mercy now." She murmured, following him into his den.

The walls were smooth, and toward the back, moss, bracken, and feathers made up a cozy looking nest. She sat, however, towards the entrance and peered out at the clan. Many were huddled in small groups, speaking in low voices, occasionally shooting accusatory glances toward the den where they had gone, and she couldn't help but wonder if they blamed Wildstar, or if they simply wanted her dead, or at the least gone. She heaved a sigh and shook her head, looking back at Wildstar. "All I can do I suppose is not disappoint them. Maybe then they'll learn to trust me."