A Lone Kittypet Comes To Thunderclan

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Basil wandered over to some towering cliffs. Her collar was almost gone now, but she was still marked a housecat. She walked into a border, but didn't really know.  She came to a place of very tall pine trees. She wanted to consider climbing, but she had never climbed in her entire life. She walked on, her soft paw steps were barely audible. Her bight gold eyes darted around. Then she smelled another cat, and froze. What was she going to do? This was a bit of a problem. She had never considered this might be another cat's territory. Should she run? Or stand her ground? She hissed at little, but faltered easily. She was scared out of her wits. Was this a wild cat? She was so scared, she started to tense. Should she run?
Would she even have time to? Basil wanted so bad to run. But it was no good. Her body refused to move. “This was not going to end well.” Basil muttered so softly it was almost inaudible. Her collar was a huge disadvantage as well. If a fight occurred…. Basil shuddered at the thought. She looked at the other cat, and tried to command her body to run, with no avail.

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Snowstar often wandered through the camp to see if she would be able to help with anything, from the medicine cat den, all the way to the elders'. Most of the time, she didn't give herself any breaks, resulting in sudden bouts of fatigue. Nonetheless, she gave it her all to see to every clanmate personally without showing them how tired she was. 

Before she could start another round to check in with the queens, her deputy stopped her. "Snowstar, I think you deserve some free time. You're always putting others before yourself, I understand... but it's high time you enjoy this first sunny day of Newleaf." 

The she-cat's ears gave him an irritating flick, but otherwise, she agreed with a dip of her head. "Thank you. I trust you can watch the camp for the rest of the day?" He purred proudly. "Of course." 

Without another word, she padded out of the clearing, and aimlessly towards ThunderClan's border. Even after given time to herself, she still carried out clan duties by sniffing for any disturbances in her clan's territory. Just as she was about to move on, a new scent filled her nose. 

A short wave of alarm spread through her. It wasn't Riverclan, nor Shadowclan. "A rogue?" She took another whiff and determined it was a lone she-cat, and one that gave off a vague, faded twoleg smell. No... a kittypet?" Snowstar had nothing against them, but that didn't mean she'd take one intruding lightly. An intruder is still an intruder. 

Keeping herself somewhat hidden in the undergrowth, the silver tabby easily found the source of the scent. From her vantage point, Snowstar spotted the golden tabby easily among her dark surroundings. She was young, no older than a few seasons, but still old enough to care for herself. 

The amber-eyed leader emerged from her hiding place once the newcomer seemed to freeze in place. There was no doubting she was a kittypet once she saw the twoleg thing around her neck. The older she-cat stayed calm and unthreatening, knowing full well what stories and rumors the kittypets spread about the 'wild cats' in the forests. 

"A bit far from home, aren't you, kittypet?" She sat down on her haunches and flicked her tail around to cover her front paws. "Clan territory is much more difficult than your average cozy twoleg nest." 

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[ooc-As a note, since there isn't a deputy for ThunderClan yet, I made up a temporary, unnamed one]

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(Done) Basil seethed at that. Had this silver cat just told her to go home? “I don't live with housefolk anymore. I live on my own.” she hissed. If their was one thing Basil was not, it was a pushover housecat. Basil felt anger boiling. It was easy to keep it down. “And I don't even know what a kittypet is.” She was considering making a break fort it. But it might not be wise. Then she saw a herb, and walked over, and picked it up. It was some coltsfoot. You never knew when you might need it. Then she spotted some poppys. She wanted to walk over, but decided not to. She considered walking away, but that was a sign of weakness. What would she do? She needed to do something, but what? She decided on standing her ground and, if necessary, fighting. She seriously hoped that that last part would not come true. That might end up with her dead. And she would hate that, a lot. It flasked in her mind, but she ignored it and stood her ground. “I never meant to intrude, but I would like to join you.” she said. Her eyes wern't pleading, just hopeful.

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At the feisty remark from the kittypet-turned-loner, Snowstar couldn't help but purr in amusement. "Oh? Is that so?" The older she-cat casually licked her front paw, taunting that she knew this new cat was no threat at all. "I suppose you haven't been with twolegs very long then, if you harbor so much hostility towards them."

Another thing that told her so, was the fact that she was by no means plump and fat like other kittypets. How long has she been on her own? Leaf-bare must've been a challage for a cat that young. Even though this golden tabby was a stranger, the ThunderClan leader was feeling pity for her. Snowstar's impulse to protect those weaker than herself was beginning to break down her cold façade. "Do you have a name, young one?"

The request from her wasn't unexpected. Snowstar had a feeling that she'd been traveling for far too long and needed at least a bit of rest. Pushing herself back onto all fours, the silver cat took a hesitant, but deliberate step forward, still keeping her distance. "You're lucky to have not been chased away. What makes you think we would just take you in without question? More importantly, why would you want to?"

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Basil sat. "My name is Basil. And I wish to join because I left my housefolk a week ago for it. I hated living with them. My first fish tasted like heaven, compared to dry food. And I don't expect you to just take me in. I'll prove myself. " she said with determination. Her gold eyes even flashed with it. “I know my herbs. And I know how to make a cat feel better. I did it for my brother, and I'll do it for anyone.” With that, she tried to get her wretched collar off. It was so torn and faded, it came of with only a bit of struggle. Her white fur puffed, it was longer then the golden, but it did this sometimes. She looked odd,
with her messy white fur puffed out. The gold flat. She felt like a puff ball. So she licked it down, and sat, looking at Snowstar with a unflinching gaze. Her white tabby was clean now, and it gave her fur a odd effect. Like ivory on gold. Her golden eyes refused to look away from Snowstar. It was clear about a few things. One, she was not leaving without an answer she liked, and two, she was no ordinary kittypet. Only a few had ever rejected the ways of the twolegs. The cats that had started the clans, and Firestar.

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"I must say, Basil, I'm impressed that you had the will to leave the hairless beasts. From my understanding kittypets rarely ever step a paw outside the twoleg nests, nevermind running away into the unknown." Snowstar padded close enough to look down on the younger she-cat when she mentioned about proving herself to her with knowledge of healing herbs.

A medicine cat at heart? The ThunderClan leader purred softly at the thought. Basil didn't seem like one after a first impression. After seeing her show her longing to join her clan by ripping the collar off, there wasn't a doubt in Snowstar's mind that the golden-and white she-cat would do anything to gain her trust.

Having torn her symbol of twolegs off, she was no longer bound by them. The older of the two sat silent for a few moments, finalizing her decision on the matter. "If you are to join ThunderClan, it means you cannot turn your back on us. You can't just go back to your two-... your housefolk if you can't handle it out here. Do you understand?"

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[It's funny since Basil doesn't know she's talking to the LEADER of the clan she wants to join...]

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Basil nodded. She held her head high. “I will never turn my back on you.” she said. Her eyes glinted with a sudden happiness. Is she going to bring me to their leader? She wondered. She hoped so. She wanted to ask the she-cat's name. “I will never go back to my housefolk.”. Her white fur started puffing. Pleae, not again. She thought. That might be bad. “And thanks, for giving me a chance.” She said. Her white fur had puffed out fully now. She licked it back into place. She didn't want to walk into the camp looking like a puff ball. That would look very bad. She smiled, and looked around. “So, where do you live?” she asked. It was a reasonable question, as she was new to the clan. She also had no idea about the way around the forest. This was clearly a nice place for a walk. She looked at the she-cat. “I almost forgot, do you have a name?” she asked. Please don't be offended. She thought quickly. If the she-cat got offended, it would be bad. She might lose her not-so-sucure place in the clan. That would be very bad, and Basil would hate herself.

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"If that's true, then you have nothing to worry about." Snowstar refrained from pointing out the younger cat's fur. ThunderClan wasn't one to judge on looks alone, considering their leader pretends to be something she's not outside of the camp.

Giving a quick shake to get any dirt off, Snowstar got to her paws and started walking back to camp. "I believe everyone deserves at least a chance to prove themselves. Most of ThunderClan follows those beliefs as well." With a flick of her tail, she beckoned Basil to follow behind her. "Come. We should get there before the next patrol finds us. And don't worry. You'll see the camp soon enough." The leader took her time padding through the undergrowth with Basil in mind. If she had only left the twolegs a week ago, she might still have problems keeping up.

Snowstar let another purr out at her look of nervousness. "It'd be odd if I didn't have one, wouldn't it?" She hopped up and over a small rotting log. "You can call me Snowstar, young one."

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Basil smiled, a few tail lengths behind Snowstar. “I like your name, Snowstar.” she said easily. She followed her for some time, and then a tunnel of foliage enclosed them. When they walked out, it was a new world compared with the forest outside. So many things to look at…… Her head was so darty, she must have looked odd. She looked at all the cats, and then at another small tunnel. She wondered about what lay at the end. Another den? She wanted to find out, but a snarl grabbed her attention. A large brown cat was growling at her. Basil couldn't make out what. But she had a feeling it was better that way. Another cat came over, growling. Soon she was surrounded. Basil resisted her urge to run. She stood tall, not backing down. She put up an image of a confident young cat, with no fear of them. She almost believed it herself. But she was scared out of her fur. Her white fur started to puff. She raised her hackles subconsciously. The gold standing up, but the white still taller. She realized this, and lowered them, and the white fur lay flat also. She refused to growl or hiss. She would never attack them. Not even a tiny hiss.

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[ooc - I'm making up Branchclaw's name. He's only a temporary NPC until there are more members So anyone can manipulate him. -Check my character list to see vague descriptions of other NPCs-]

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"It's a name I'm proud of. I'm glad you like it." She purred over her shoulder. Snowstar had a feeling this wouldn't bode well at first among her clanmates. Most were clan-born, and some were rogues before, so they had yet to gain a kittypet. Albeit, she was one that became a loner not long ago, she would no doubt be looked down on.

Just as she feared, Basil wasn't greeted as kindly as she would've preferred. Branchclaw was the first to take action by growling under his breath. The silver tabby, instead of helping Basil directly, leapt up to ThunderClan's highest vantage point and yowled, "Let all cat's old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a clan meeting!"

The effect was just as she wanted; their attention was diverted to her instead of the younger she-cat. She had to admit though, Basil stood her ground well despite her fear. "As some of you may have noticed, I've brought someone back with me." Branchclaw hissed immediately, cutting her off from saying more. "Oh I've noticed alright! You can still smell her twoleg stench all the way from Fourtrees!"

Some of those nearest to him started agreeing. "From what she's told me, Basil is no longer bound to her housefolk and lives as a loner. There is no need for your hatred. In fact, I believe she shares your hostiliy towards the twolegs." The brown tom's ears drew back in disgust.

"Basil comes here with no ill will. She is to be treated the same way in return by every member of ThunderClan. For now, she will be given apprentice duties until I can decide who her mentor will be."

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[ooc- kittyclan, you're gonna have to wait on your reply until kiyuo replies with Nightmare (thunderclan deputy)]

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nightmare

Just as Nightmare finished talking to last nights patrol, did he spot Snowstar, the silver she-cat moving everywhere again. Turning back he let the patrol go to the fresh-kill pile before they went to the warriors den to rest.

Making his way over to his leader, he stopped her before she got another round of checking in. After getting Snowstar to finally leave the clan to him so she could enjoy the sunny Newleaf, which he just knew that she would check the borders anyways, Nightmare turned and went about his duties and finishing the rounds that he didn't let Snowstar finish.

Patrols came and went, while warriors took their apprentices for training and hunting practice. It didn't take long for the large black tom to finish checking the dens assuring nothing was currently needed. And with no patrols to welcome back, he made his way to the nursery.

The bundle of kits that were tumbling about caused him to release a loud, rumbling purr that caught their attention. "Hey kits!" The echoing of tiny mewls calling out; "Hi Nightmare!" caused him to grin a smidgen. That was all he got before one of the queens came out to retrieve the kits and chased him off.

Looking back, Nightmare just shook his head and turning back around with a mumble of "Queens." started heading toward the Elder's Den but was stopped at the appearance of Snowstar and a young she-cat following behind. Staying put, the deputy watched as his clanmates surrounded the tabby.

Listening as the leader spoke, Nightmare started to head around Highrock to take his place but he stopped and headed through the group of cats once Branchclaw spoke. "Yeah, and I'm sure Shadowclan can smell you all the way from here." He slid past the brown tom, his teeth flashing as he made a half circle around Basil and sat beside her, tail flicking over his paws.

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Basil was scared out of her wits. All of the cats were shooting her dirty looks, except for the black one. He was kinder to her. Sitting about a tail length away. Basil looked up at Snowstar. She was plainly the leader. Basil wondered how she had not noticed it before, but Snowstar was a true leader. Basil was not all that secure. The fact that she had no mentor for the time being was a little embarrassing, as some of the younger cats giggled at her. She sat tall, however. Keeping up the image of a brave young she cat. I have nothing to fear. She told her self. She kept glancing around, looking for anyone who looked at her with something other then hatred,or resentment, or distaste. No one even glanced at her with an interested look. She felt like a outsider. Like a freak. She wanted to slip away, and hide. But if she was going to make it here, she had to be strong. So she stayed put, not budging an inch. She gave off a confident vibe, like she was just starting to pick the worlds fruits and had not run into a sour one.

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The ThunderClan leader was grateful for her deputy. Not only did he put Branchclaw back in his place, he made sure the new she-cat felt a bit more welcome, despite the reaction from the others. One cat was better than none, right?

Hopping down from her perch, Snowstar ignored the looks of her clanmates. It would take time, but if Basil truly proved herself, maybe then they would be so cold towards her. Branchclaw might never warm up to the idea, but he was never known to be particularly nice to anyone, including his own leader.

The she-cat bowed her head respectfully to Nightmare. "At least I can always trust you to follow my judgement." She turned her head to the smaller cat next to him. It was easy enough to smell how afraid she was, but from a distance, she could mistakenly be seen as composed.

"Basil, this is my deputy, Nightmare. Nightmare, Basil." She flicked her gaze back to the tom. "If you've finished all the duties for today, would you mind joining us in a tour of the camp?"

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nightmare

Nightmare lowered his head in acknowledgment to Snowstar’s comment. Allowing his tail to unravel from around his paws, he rested it against Basil's shoulder and twitched the tip in an attempt to help ease her fear. Turning his head he bowed his head slightly with a crooked grin, "Welcome to Thunderclan Basil."

Looking at his leaders’ question, Nightmare straightened with a nod, "Of course." Rising to his paws he flicked his tail at Basil to join them but before standing beside Snowstar he turned, "Border patrol needs to head out and the hunting patrol should have left a moon ago!" Even though only some of the cats scattered to get to their duties or just to get out his range, some continued to glare and growl at the previous kitty pet.

Snorting he padded over to stand next to Snowstar, but not before passing Branchclaw and growling lowly at the tom. Slowing to a stop, he questioned, “Definetly going to take a while before they warm up to this idea of yours Snowstar. So, do you plan on giving her a new name? And if so what are you thinking? Or are you just going to wait on the naming ceremony?”

This is how I act. "This is how I speak." These are my thoughts.
words;; 201	tag;; @kittyclan & @crystal // basil & snowstar
notes;; lame reply is lame