~ there's something more [smokestripe]

[~ .rushstar.]

The tabby padded slowly between the rows of trees. Her ribs showed with each step, but her pelt was as clean as she could get it. Rushstar's eyes were looking around, trying to find any prey that wasn't contaminated with the sickness. Two cats had died already, both from PineClan, plus two cats were known as sick, one from StoneClan, the other was poor Slatefang of PineClan. It had been bad enough with just the rodents sick, but Falconstar's news at the gathering that it had spread to birds was even worse. It angered the PineClan leader that RoseClan was the only one of the three unaffected.

Lost in her thoughts, Rushstar didn't noticed an out of place tree that was growing in her path until she walked right into it. The impact brought her out of her daze of thoughts and she shook her head, glad that there weren't any cats out so late. It was practically the middle of the night, the moon high in the sky, stars glaring down upon her. At least it felt as if they were glaring. What am it doing wrong? she pleaded desperately in her head.

She took a deep breath as she sat next to the tree, composing herself. She had to keep this hidden. Her clan trusted her to get them through this and she would do her best. It was hard, though, to keep everything hidden and be strong for her Clan.

A light breeze waved the branches of her tree around quietly, as the sound of paw steps approached. She tensed until she recognized the scent. "Smokestripe?" questioned Rushstar quietly. Despite her thoughts, her voice was composed, but not quite as much as usual. She didn't have it in her right now. Come morning she would be strong for her clan, but Smokestripe had known her since they had been kits. Chances were he would see right through her.

ooc; wow, didn't mean for this post to be like that

[→SMOKESTRIPE]

Two cats had already died and two more were ill. From what he'd heard in the Gathering; RoseClan - bunch of kittypets - were pretty good because they had the fish in their ponds. StoneClan had one cat sick, as did Smokestripe's own clan.

It was terrible, really. PineClan had already lost two cats and one was sickly. It made Smokestripe feel terrible; he was, so far, completely fine and hadn't needed to visit the medicine cat. His aunt, Swallowflight, looked as if she were coming down with the sickness. She was old but he hoped she'd be all right - she was tough and hardy. A slight flu certainly wouldn't bring her down.

Smokestripe was alone in the forest, burying rats and mice he came across. So far, he had buried seven mice and three rats, and had come across several dead birds. Smokestripe had buried them too. It was quite difficult to deal with, and now his paws felt dirty and disgusting. He had found a small stream, and sat his paws in it for a good few minutes. Now his paws were soaked and he was distantly staring into space, green eyes completely blank.

"Smokestripe?"

He was quickly pulled from his thoughts and turned around, seeing the light coloured tabby that lead his clan. His cheeks flushed hotly, and he cleared his throat, moving from the stream and approaching the she-cat. "Hey, Rushstar," he offered her a soft smile; the two of them had grown up together and Smokestripe had certain feelings for her, but she was the leader and he was but a warrior. She wouldn't be able to have kits - that would lead to her deputy taking over and possibly Rushstar being removed completely from PineClan. "How are you faring?" he hadn't seen the leader crash into the tree, so simply smiled at her, wishing he could tell her how he felt.

[/size]

[~ .rushstar.]

Her tail twitched slightly as the dark tabby stepped into view. They'd been close as kits and apprentices, even warriors, but as Rushstar had risen up the ranks, there had been less and less time for her to have an actual social life. The light tabby leader stood, yawning as she stretching as he approached. An awkwardness flooded over her as she looked at the tom. It was odd, something she'd never felt around any cat before. She shoved the feeling away before it showed, however, keeping it hidden. She could ponder about it later, alone, in her den.

"How are you faring?"

At the question, her head cocked to the side slightly before answering. "Honestly, not all that well." Her voice was raw, unable to keep the emotions hidden away any longer. "I keep wondering, what am I doing wrong? I mean, is StarClan punishing PineClan for something? Cypressheart and Honeyrain, dead. Slatefang's sick. There's less and less prey in the forest. Only RoseClan is free of this." She sighed, running out of words. "How much longer can this go on?"

In the flood of emotion, that unknown feeling had shown up again. She stood awkwardly, just looking at Smokestripe. Once, long ago, she'd had feelings for him, but before she could admit anything, she had been appointed deputy and all thoughts of relationships had flown from her head. As much as she loved kits, she would never have a litter of her own. It would cost her her position. It was best if she stayed walled off from everyone.