~Changed~

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Embergaze yawned, blinking at the harsh rays of sunlight cascading into the small clearing that was surrounded by a few holly bushes, also known as, the warriors den. It wasn't a den really, but more like the particular part in WindClan camp where the warriors slept. WindClan warriors sleep in the open most of the time, so their den is similar to that of a ThunderClan den, except there is no roof. Stretching his long, lean legs, Embergaze slowly sat up in his nest and sighed. Next to him, was the small body of Littlestorm, who could easily be mistaken for an apprentice, and the much larger body of Lichenthorn.

"Wake up, you lazy furball, we're going to miss the dawn patrol." Embergaze growled as he prodded a paw into Lichenthorn's side. Most of the warriors had already left the den, so there was no need to keep his voice down. He shook the scraps of moss from his fur and climbed out of his nest, letting out another yawn.

[dylan]

Ooh. Look at the mouse, he could almost reach out and touch it. The blue-gray tom was twitching in his sleep, a goofy grin plastered upon his face. The tom was having the most wonderful dream. There was a field of rabbits just sitting there, waiting to be caught. One after another, after another, after another. He chased them until he was so full he never thought he would move again. They were full of meat, no strings at all. They were perfect. Even in his sleep the tom was drooling, savoring the taste of the juicy treat. Lichenthorn was curled up in his nest in a deep sleep, and as usual the warrior was dreaming of food. He was so comfortable in his nest, it was so warm with his sister curled in between him and his brother.

Speaking of the other tom in the litter, he felt Embergaze prodding at his side. "No my pretty little friends, don't leave me!"

[/color] the tom murmured as his dream soon began to fade and the reality of the camp soon became apparent. Jerking awake and looking around he saw he was not the last to awake, for once. His sister was still asleep. Lichenthorn really did not have the heart to wake her, but knew she would be upset if he didn't. Looking toward his brother he sighed. "Littlestorm, you're fine. Everything will be okay."[/color] he said worried. It seemed the small she-cat was having another nightmare. Looking to Embergaze, the tom was at a loss.


**********************************************************


Laying in between both of her brothers, mainly for warmth, the smallest of the litter of three was having a much different dream than her much larger sibling. Littlestorm was reliving the day she never wanted to think about. Her body was shaking in fear, and she was buried as close to Embergaze as possible. When the warmth of his body left, she quickly moved toward Lichenthorn. Yes, she felt safe with her brothers but they couldn't stop the nightmares.

Littlestorm thrashed about in her dreamlike state, kicking and trying to get away from the imaginary foe. He[/i] was back and was after her again. Only this time her brother wasn't there to save her. She tried to run, but she was being followed. Not again the she-cat thought. She continued to tremble in fear knowing Embergaze could not help her this time.

She had heard Embergaze mention getting up, but she couldn't. Littlestorm was frozen in fear. Now hearing the soothing voice of Lichenthorn, could everything really be okay?[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Embergaze snorted and rolled his eyes. "You're such a fat mouse." he snapped, cuffing Lichenthorn around the ear with a seathed paw. When his brother murmured something to Littlestorm, he instinctively glanced down at his sister to make sure she was alright. She wasn't. Littlestorm was trembling, and her legs were thrashing in her nest.

After a few anxious moments, she seemed to wake up, but did not move from her nest. Embergaze frowned and lay back down beside Littlestorm. He knew what she had dreamt of. Sometimes he had nightmares of that dreadful day too. He also knew that Lichenthorn was better at calming Littlestorm down, so Embergaze said nothing and instead gave his sister's ear a comforting lick.

[dylan]

Lichenthorn glared at his brother. He wasn't that fat...was he? Looking down he shook his head. No, he was just the right size. He couldn't help it that he was a bit larger, he was just big boned. Nodding at his self assessment, he shook his own fur. "I'm not a fat mouse."

[/color] he muttered. At times he liked having a brother, but other times he could do without.

Though Lichenthorn was more sensitive with Littlestorm, his sister seemed to trust Embergaze even more than himself. Her trust had really been pretty much diminished that day. He was glad Embergaze was with him right now. It would take the both of them to be strong for Littlestorm.

Sighing he looked back down at his sister and wrapped his tail around her. "Remember when we were kits and you always had to beat us at everything?"[/color] Lichenthorn was going for a distraction, anything to get her mind off that day. "Forget kits, you still try to beat us at everything."[/color] he chuckled, and seeing a slight smile from Littlestorm he let out a deep breath in relief.

******************************************************

Littlestorm hated times like this. This was when she was vulnerable, and she had told herself she could take care of herself from now on. She didn't need to rely on anyone but herself. Blinking her eyes open, she allowed herself to rest against Embergaze. Maybe just this one time wouldn't hurt. It had been rough, and she needed the comfort of both her brothers. The soothing rasps of her brother's tongue calmed her, and she was able to somewhat relax.

Looking at Lichenthorn and nodding at the memory of them as kits. She had always been trying to show everyone else she was just as capable as her brothers. She had to do things a little different because she was smaller, but she had always figured a way around it. And then the smile occurred. He was right, she still wanted to show everyone she was just like them. "I don't have to try too hard to beat you two."[/color] she smirked.

Pushing the thoughts aside she shook her head, to rid them of the awful thoughts. Getting onto her paws she turned toward her brothers, the smirk returning. "What are you two laying around for, we have work to do."[/color] Littlestorm shook her pelt and turned back around to pad away from her brothers. Just keep putting her paws forward, and keep the past behind her. That's what she had to remember. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Embergaze nodded slowly as Lichenthorn described those days when they were kits, and even a tiny smile appeared on his face - which was very rare, even for his own family. When Littlestorm rose to her paws, Embergaze did the same and followed her out of the warriors' den. "You always say that," he grunted, his eyes gleaming in amusement. It was when he was with his family when he could relax and enjoy himself.

Suddenly, a shadow crossed his path and Embergaze instinctively tensed his muscles. "Are you three up for dawn patrol?" an irritated voice sounded from before them and Embergaze looked up to see Eaglescreech. His eyebrows were turned in a frown and his face was expressionless. "Says who?" he retorted, his whiskers twitching in annoyance. He disliked Eaglescreech very much. Everyone in the Clan knew what he did to Honeypetal, the RiverClanner, and even the queens turned their backs on him when he passed by. "Says Blizzardstar." Eaglescreech snorted, lashing his tail angrily.

[dylan]

Lichenthorn was glad his sister was finally herself again. It was so strange to see her broken and beaten down like she had just been. It pained the tom to see her like that. He looked to Embergaze and noticed that even his brother had managed to crack a smile, no matter how small. It was all for Littlestorm. If something were to happen to her, no doubt the small family would fall apart.

Another past-time the tom enjoyed was watching his two siblings banter. It was just amusing to him. Lichenthorn finally managed to get himself up and follow slowly after his siblings. Oh how he wished he could go back to that wonderful dream! When they were approached by Eaglescreech, the blue-gray tom made his way in front of Littlestorm. No one came near her when he was around. His eyes narrowed as he listened to the other warrior speak. Lichenthorn would let Embergaze handle this, right now he had a more important job, keep Littlestorm safe. Oh dear StarClan, did his sister have to be so stubborn? "Don't even think about it."

[/color] he whispered to the she-cat, knowing she had some retort for Eaglescreech.


************************************************************


Littlestorm rolled her eyes at her brother. "I always say that because it is true."[/color] she purred. Now that both brothers were following her out of the den, she wondered just what they had planned for the day.

When Eaglescreech came toward them and Lichenthorn stood in front of her, the small brown tabby she-cat glared at her brother. Her tail lashed out behind her as she huffed. Really? Was being that protective of her necessary? She could take care of herself!

She would have answered the tom's question but it seemed as though Embergaze had it handled. Sidestepping Lichenthorn, she stood right in front of Eaglescreech. Ignoring her brother's warning the she-cat faced the tom. "Why would Blizzardstar ask you of all cats to talk to us? Don't you have anything better to do than be the leader's little suckup?"[/color] [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Embergaze lashed his tail in apprehension when Littlestorm pushed her way up to to stad in front of him, and he stepped forward so that he was next to her. Though he kept his space, since he could already feel the waves of annoyance coming off Littlestorm. It wasn't his fault that he was so protective, it was just an instinct. Eaglescreech however, noticed this, and a smug expression spread across his face. "Me, a suck-up? Look's who's talking while her two brothers flank her like a pair of bodygaurds." he retorted, unseathing his claws. Embergaze immediately stepped forward before his sister could respond, and shoved his nose into Eaglescreech's face. "Listen here, you dishonorable foxdung. You'd better go try your luck with someone else unless you want your tail to be shortened to a stump." he snarled, fluffing up his fur to appear twice his size.

Eaglescreech stiffened but held his ground, keeping his glare fixed on Embergaze. For a long time, he said nothing, before finally turning to leave. "At least I'm able to defend myself against some pitiful rogue," he grumbled. Just as he started to think about hunting alone, a heavy - much heavier than himself - weight landed on his back and he yelped in surprise. He felt the wind being knocked out his lungs as he met the ground roughly. He squinted his eyes as bright sunlight blocked his vision, but he knew immediately who's voice sounded in his ear. "Don't talk about my sister like that, you rat!" Embergaze hissed, pressing his claws into Eaglescreech's throat. "Are you mad?! Get off me!" the frightened tom screeched, struggling to release himself from Embergaze's firm grip.

[dylan]

Littlestorm felt her brother edge a little closer to her, and she would have loved to shoot him a glare. But she was more preoccupied with the mousebrain in front of her. Rolling her blue eyes she sighed. "Like I have a choice, they are my kin, I don't control what they do. At least I have someone that loves me enough to do something like that. I'd love to see someone who actually gives a fox-dung about you."

[/color] she retorted.

Just as she was about to leap at the tom, Embergaze came to her rescue. Grinning she was glad he was standing up to the tom. This had been her battle and he had interrupted it. Normally she would have been furious, but Lichenthorn was making sure she didn't do something mousebrained.

But then, Eaglescreech had said the unspeakable. No one had ever dared mention that day again. The she-cat was frozen. If she didn't have Lichenthorn helping her stay up, she would have probably fallen. The fear of the dream came back and she shuddered, burying her face in Lichenthorn's fur. Right now she needed her brothers more than she would have liked to say.

********************************************************


The morning had been quite peaceful so far, a hunting patrol had just gone out and a dawn patrol would soon be following. Soon the fresh-kill pile wouldn't be looking so grim. The clan was low on apprentices, in fact it was the first time in quite some time he ever remembered there being no apprentices. The younger warriors were having to do all the work themselves. But thankfully two kits were ready to become apprentices, that would lighten the load greatly.

The leader had been trying to come up with good mentors for the two kits, and it was proving to be difficult. Both kits were quite troublesome and easily distracted. It would take a firm mentor for the pair. His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds he heard outside the den.

Getting onto his paws, Blizzardstar stepped outside and saw the tussle of warriors. Walking over to the group he glared. "Enough!"[/color] Eyes were trained on the two cats fighting. Of course, Eaglescreech and Embergaze, but what in StarClan were the doing. "Will you two like to tell me why two of my warriors are fighting eachother in some sort of death match?" he hissed.

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Embergaze noticed his leader bounding towards them, but did nothing to release Eaglescreech. He needed to be taught a good lesson - one he wouldn't forget. Eaglescreech however, had fear and defiance gleaming in his eyes, and after a massive amount of struggle, he managed to kick out with his hind legs straight into Embergaze's stomache, sending him rolling backwards. "This disrespectful warrior attacked me from nowhere!" he hissed, recovering his paws and pretending to look frightened and shocked, to try to and win Blizzardstar's judgement over. Embergaze stood up once more and drew back his lips in a snarl. "Says the dishonorable fox-dung who mated with a she-cat from another Clan just for the fun of it!" he retorted, his fur bristling violently.

[dylan]

Blizzardstar continued to glare at the two warriors until they pulled apart. Spotting Lichenthorn and Littlestorm nearby he noticed the she-cat was looking afraid. He knew she was a strong she-cat and he didn't know she knew what fear was. What exactly had been going on? "Enough name calling and fighting. If I ever see you two fighting again YOU be cleaning out the elders den, and doing all the apprentice duties."

[/color] he hissed. "And there will be no talk of what has happened in the past."

"Now I see a dawn patrol is needed. I want all four of you to go on it together. And if I hear about anything going wrong, or any confrontation I will have your tails. Now go!"[/color] Blizzardstar yowled.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[♦ stormeh ♦]

Both Embergaze and Eaglescreech hung their heads in shame but kept their fierce glares fixed on each other for the whole time. As Blizzardstar commanded them to leave, Embergaze grunted, "Yes, Blizzardstar," with a low mutter of agreement from Eaglescreech.

"Good job foxbreath, look what you've gotton us into." Eaglescreech spat as he approached Embergaze, Littlestorm and Lichenthorn. "Me? Wouldn't you say?" Embergaze spat, fixing Eaglescreech such a fierce glare that the warrior thought better of it and kept silent.

[truewolfwarriors]

Hawktalon was sitting a few feet away with Rose, looking on. He rolled his large amber eyes as the aguring patrol started to leave. "Isn't that the tom that you told me about? The one who is mates with the RiverClan queen?" the albino she-cat asked, turning to the brown tabby. Hawkatlon nodded, "Yeah, but he only did it to, ummm, enjoy it. I think you should stay away from him, he's not a very good-hearted warrior if you ask me." Hawktalon frowned ay Eaglescreech. Even thought he pityed the tom for being by his clanmates for mating with a she-cat from another clan, he hated him because he only did it to see what it was like. It made him sick because he caused two kits to be half clan, like Hawktalon himself.