Disaster Roleplay

[Willowfoot]

Light's heart sank when she saw Crystal's return. She could see it in the older leopard's eyes. She had found something. She nodded at Crystal and sat at the entrance to Glacier's den.

--------------------------

Willowpaw looked up and smiled. "Hello Regalpaw."

He had been her friend for as long as she could remember, even though he wasn't Clan-born. It was nice to talk to him every once in a while. She didn't really understand why Bramblepaw rolled his eyes whenever they met.

"I suppose I could do with a few bites," she meowed with a smile.

-----

The gray cat stopped at the rim of the camp, breathing hard. However, it wasn't his exhaustion that stopped him. He had spotted an apprentice inside. It was weird, because she looked like a lot like him. A miniature, grey-eyed--

of course.

Then he remembered the leopard he had seen, and darted into camp. "Wildstar!" he yelled, "Where's Wildstar?" Without waiting for a reply, he leapt onto the Tallspire and yowled for the whole clan to hear:

"Listen to me, cats of MountainClan! A leopard chased me here! It's a huge danger! You've got to do something about it!"

[Regalpaw]

Regalpaw's eyes glistened happily as he sat beside her. He was mid-bite when the mysterious cat ran into camp. He leapt up, moving slightly in front of Willowpaw without realizing it. The cat was scrawny but who knew if he was dangerous. It jumped upon the Tallspire and called tot hem, as if he was leader. How disrespectful! He called up. "Who are you? How can we believe a ragged rogue who entered our camp?"

[Willowfoot]

Stonepelt looked at Regalpaw with a mix of anger and hurt. "Rogue?" he repeated. "I am a MountainClan cat!"

Willowpaw looked at her friend in confusion. "I don't know who he is... but does he look familiar to you?"

"Out of the way!" cried Flowertail, pushing through the crowd of cats and leaving her son Bramblepaw behind. She looked up at the cat on the Tallspire. It had been more than 16 moons since she had seen him, but it was definitely a cat she knew. He barely looked like a warrior at all.

"Stonepelt!" She cried.

Bramblepaw had come up to his mother, looking from her to the cat on the Tallspire in confusion. "Stonepelt?" he echoed, "I thought you said he was our..." he stopped cold, his eyes wide. In a quieter voice, he said, "...our father."

Willowpaw got to her paws. This wasn't possible. "But you told us he was dead!"

"I told you he was missing. I never once believed he was dead."

[Starlight]

Hearing a commotion, Starlight darted out toward Tallspire. She froze when she caught an unfamiliar scent, and looked up to see a starved, grey cat upon Tallspire. She heard Flowertail call out the cat’s name, and a second later realized this was her long-lost mate. Flowertail had been right all this time; he was alive. Starlight sat and silently watched the scene from a distance.

[Sleetfoot]

Sleetfoot had been speaking with his apprentice about a battle training session with his sister and Regalpaw when the grey tom burst into camp. He followed the younger tom to stand beside the queen. He had not been around when Stonepelt had dissapeared but another gasp of recognition could be heard behind him.

Fallentree, despite his years and fragile bones had rissen to his paws. Eyes wide he gazed at the tom atop the Tallspire, nearly as ragged as himself. "I would never forget a cat's face or scent. He smells not of MountainClan but it is him." He dipped his head to the younger warrior. "Welcome home."

[Regalpaw]

Regalpaw had been about to answer here when Flowertail pushed past him, starring in awe at the ragged cat who claimed of MountainClan. "Stonepelt..." he muttered. He could vaguely remember the name. Something about a patrol that went out moons before he was born much less came to the Clan.

[Lightfur]

OoC: Oh yay. =D I can still enter without looking stupidly late. (I was so worried that you guys would have gone super-far while I was off learning biology and history and stuff.)

Now for an attempt at a lengthy post because I think that the long-awaited disaster roleplay really calls for one. (I've only got about an hour and a half before I have to leave for school, though, so I'll do my best with that time.)

Also, obviously Lightfur would remember Stonepelt and Dawnkit wouldn't, but I'm getting confused with Pearlclaw. Because the timeline is so scrambled and all. If we go by Willow and Bramble's ages, then when he disappeared she was about nine moons old, old enough to remember him clearly. If we go by Starry's age, she was about two moons old, and would hardly remember him, if at all.

But because logic is something that doesn't exist in the MountainClan world, I'll go with her remembering him vaguely. (somewhere between the two)

Also, in case anyone was actually bothering to wonder, I haven't been aging my cats because I like their ages. x3 They fit them. Of course Dawnkit's gonna get older and once Willowpaw becomes a warrior I'll feel obligated to up Pearlclaw's age, but I'm delaying age changes for now. (Which is why Pearlclaw is still twenty-one moons old and has a nine-moon-old apprentice. xDD)

BiC:

Lightfur blinked her eyes open, instantly awake. How could she not be, with all of the commotion going on? There were panicked cats yowling, and as deputy she was immediately alert. What was going on here? Scrabbling to her feet, the golden she-cat emerged into the open air and looked to Tallspire. Her eyes went wide, sparking green in the early-morning light.

"Stonepelt?" she meowed incredulously. She walked towards the Tallspire half-dazed, but pulled herself together by the time she got there. "Stonepelt! What's going on?" The grey tom looked half-crazed with fear, and from the tones of the blurred voices she had heard from inside the den, there was more going on than a happy reunion.

The fur on the deputy's shoulders prickled ominously as she looked around. Much of the Clan was assembled, and those that were not were emerging sleepily from their dens. Lightfur spotted Starlight hanging back, but her searching eyes did not fall on Wildstar. The golden she-cat's dark-tipped brush of a tail lashed back and forth, once, slowly, before she stilled it. It would not do at the moment to betray stress or apprehension.

Pearlclaw scrambled out of the warrior's den, her pupils shrinking to slits as she transitioned from the dark interior of the den to the brighter outdoors. Everybody was over at the Tallspire, but Wildstar wasn't standing up there… Who was that? She didn't think that she'd seen him before, but something about him was familiar, triggered some memory that she hadn't dredged up from the bottom of her mind in ages…

When she heard the name 'Stonepelt' being cried out by various cats, it clicked. Stonepelt! She recognized him now-mostly- although he looked pretty beaten up.

Flowertail looked like she wasn't sure whether to collapse in a heap or start bouncing, while Willowpaw and Bramblepaw seemed like she could have knocked them over with a feather.

Pearlclaw half-ran, half-flowed her way over the ground in the way of cats, arriving at her apprentice's side. "You okay?" she murmured, trying to judge how her apprentice was taking this sudden development. She nudged the young grey tabby gently. (Of course this was somewhat odd behavior for the snarky, tough-acting Pearlclaw, but the moment seemed to merit odd behavior,)

Dawnkit yawned and nuzzled closer to the pile of siblings that she was currently sleeping in, trying to drown out the noise. As she gre slightly more awake she began to weigh the appeal of more sleep against her gnawing curiosity, which was initiated by the odd shrieks and shouts coming from out of the den.

Since she was herself, naturally the curiosity won relatively quickly. Extracting herself from her family, she peered out of the den before dashing out. She had made the right choice coming out, for sure! Something super-interesting looked like it was going on. She hoped it was fun.

Oh, there was Daddy! She dashed over to Sleetfoot, knocking into his leg. Instead of pushing him off-balance, as she had playfully hoped, the goldenrod-colored little kit basically bounced off of the white tom, rolling over in a small cloud of dust before bounding back onto her feet, unperturbed. "What's going on?" she asked her father, blinking up at him with bright amber eyes.

There was a weird scruffy cat on the Tallspire. This surprised Dawnkit a little. Wasn't only Wildstar supposed to be up there? She'd never seen this grey cat before, but since no one seemed to be angry, just kind of astonished, she wasn't scared. Especially since Daddy was right here. Plus there was Ligthfur over there- Lightfur was awesome- and Starry and everything. If something bad was going on they would be doing something about it.

With the utter confidence of a kit, she looked up at Sleetfoot for an answer.

--

Mask was taking a few minutes to just sit and think. It was quiet in the den, the only sounds the sound of his cubs' heavy sleep-breathing. Whisper and Mizzard were curled up next to one another on the den floor, their noses almost touching, breathing warmth into one another's faces. Mask wondered if they were comfortable like that.

It did get embarrassing sometimes, living in the mother's den. But it was warm and insulated, the best place for cubs, and what with there being no other mothers or cubs in the Clan at the moment, Mask was not about to let his cubs stay in a den by themselves. Granted, some of his Clanmates did snicker behind his back, but most of them understood that it took a real father to care more about his cubs than his dignity.

At least that's what Mask told himself.

He nuzzled Blizzard and Whisper gently, not enough to wake them up but enough that they squirmed and purred a little in their sleep, and left the den. He was padding towards the leader's den to ask Glacier where he was needed this morning when he spotted Light sitting at the den entrance, and Crystal a little ways away. They seemed to be communicating, albeit silently, and he wondered what was going on.

"Good morning!" he called, mindful not to make his voice too loud lest he wake still-slumbering leopards. "How are you both?" Mask didn't see any point in getting alarmed, at least not yet. If there was something serious going on, and if he needed to know, he would be notified. Glacier knew what needed to be done for the Clan.

Still, Mask had been concerned for his friend lately. The leader seemed stressed, distraught. The masked leopard could understand that, of course: his own beloved mate, Melody, had been killed in a freak accident just two moons before Glacier's Iris had died, and he had also grown infinitely more concerned for his cubs. Mask, however, was lucky in that his cubs were young and generally happy, while Glacier's daughter was troubled and rebellious.

It showed Mask clearly what his life might have become had he not had Blizzard and Whisper to console him. This knowledge, as well as their friendship, made Mask go out of his way to be supportive of his leader. It was a difficult time.

[Sleetfoot]

**Oh! Dawnkit is heartbreakingly adorable!**

Fallentree looked about. In the absence of their leader *Wherever she was* The clan would look to it's deputy for guidance. He walked slowly and painfully to the lioness she-cat, nearly being tripped up by an excited kit. He smiled, dismissing his nearly fatal experiences and pushed on. Eventually he reached her side. "What should we do, Lightfur. Take him in, obviously feed him. But what about his story. Leopards?"

A tiny white head rose when she felt the absence of a body beside her. The large, blue eyes, however remained closed. "Dawny? Come back!" When her call came unanswered the snowy she-cat shook her head and burrowed deeper into her brother and mother's warmth.

Sleetfoot hadn't noticed his kit until she crashed into his legs. He looked down, large blue eyes full of love as he scooped her into his paws. He bent down to talk to her, not wishing to disturb the cats around him. "That scruffy cat on the Tallspire has news of other cats in our territory." No use frightening her, not that that was possible. "His name is Stonepelt. He used to live here, long before I came. He is Willowpaw and Bramblepaw's father."

~~~

Crystal dipped his head to the male leopard. "Good Morn, Mask." Despite her trying to be cheerful, the weight of her voice was easily noticeable by any-cat. But it was not her place to tell the Clan news, only report it. If Mask was meant to know, Light would tell him. "How be the Cubs?"

[Wildstar]

Ooc: Just pointing this out here, but, no one else seems to realize that MountainClan cats have never seen a leopard before. They would have little (if any) knowledge of them. And only the select few with outside experience (Fallentree, Stonepelt, Sleetfoot, and Falcontail) would know what a leopard was.
Plus, I will not lie, I hate this roleplay. Just saying. :/

Bic:
Glacier had waited with fraying nerves for news of his tribe's condition, in and outside the camp. At first he had been pacing distractedly, then found relief in plunging his claws deep into the soil of his den floor and pulling them out in sharp angry motions. Old habits always did die hard...
Upon seeing his daughter's shadow cut across the den floor, Glacier emerged, and sat waiting for a reply, his tail lashing.
---
Upon hearing the great commotion outside her den, and seeing a form race up the Tallspire, the black she-cat had had the compulsion to tear through the shadows and attack the cat, maybe even knock it off the Tallspire. But, when she heard the yowls of 'Stonepelt' she relaxed slightly, realizing that there was little point in bounding headfirst into such a surreal situation.
Trotting almost leisurely to the tip of the Tallspire, Wildstar sat next to the rough-and-tumble tom cat. "Hello, Stonepelt. What is this I hear about leopards? Do you mind explaining to us what they are?"

[Willowfoot]

Light spun around sharply to look into the den. She could see that her father was waiting for her. She had to be silent for a few moments, lest her voice cracked and revealed how upset she was. Not like she was doing a good job of hiding it anyway. She took a breath.

"Glacier, I am afraid there is news." The ominous announcement was quiet.

She summoned the scout. "Crystal!" It came out a little harsher than she meant, but she did not correct herself. "Tell the king what you found."

She took a step towards the den, then stopped, looking at Mask. "Don't eavesdrop," she ordered, "This is private."

She stalked quickly and quietly to her father's side, looking for some comfort. However, any fool could tell that he would not provide her any. He was too wrapped up in his own troubles. So it would go on: each of them seeking solace, each of them unable to provide it.

---------------------------------

Stonepelt turned to his leader, somehow proud. How long it had been since he had seen her. "A leopard." He repeated. He sat down to keep his ankles from trembling. "A leopard is a huge cat. Bigger fangs, bigger claws, more willing to kill. One of them chased me here. You must do something!"

He's frightened out of his wits, thought Flowertail. Poor thing.
But leopards? Exactly how big were they? Doubtless the rest of the Clan would think he was crazy, but she believed in him. She had always believed in him.

Bramblepaw kept his eyes locked on Stonepelt. He was weighing everything that was being piled on him. He felt crushed under it all, but he wasn't about to show it.
Willowpaw did likewise, ignoring Pearlclaw. Her mother had spoken of this cat as if he was a StarClan warrior walking among us. Looking at him now, it was so hard to believe that it was the same cat. If she looked hard enough, though, she could tell that, despite the danger, part of his heart was happy to be home. He seemed to already be regaining his footing in the Clan. It was a little strange.

ooc: I DONT HAT E YOUR CHARACTERS LIGHTY
My charries are just under a lot of stress D8

[Wildstar]

Ooc: You powerplayed my poor Glacier into not responding, Willow. ;n;

Bic:
Wildstar nodded curtly. "Indeed you are correct, Stonepelt." Turning her face to the crowd below, the leader of MountainClan made being in charge look easy. "Cats of MountainClan! As you can easily see, our warrior Stonepelt, thought dead for many a season has returned to us, and with grave news. ((Ooc: I almost wrote "mews" there!))
"Creatures far bigger than ourselves have found our territory, and it is up to us to protect what is rightfully ours. To start, border patrols will be performed four times for every sunrise. Twice during the day, and twice at night. Each patrol will consist of no less than three cats. Under no circumstances are any of you allowed to leave the camp, unless you have clearance from myself and Lightfur.
And lastly, if any among you has any information on leopards, be it from the legends, or your own personal experience, there will be a meeting held in my den at sunset. That is all. I know it will be difficult for any of you to complete your day without worrying, but, until we know more, there is nothing that can be done."
Padding calmly back to her den at the lower end of the Tallspire, Wildstar sat in the darkest corner of her den.
"Pinestar, what do you wish me learn? All things happen for a reason, but what will another terror for a Clan that has just been rebuilt do? We could become far stronger, but we could become like StormClan, scattered on the wind and extinct. Guide my pawsteps...."

[Lightfur]

OoC: xD Willow, I laughed so hard when I read your post.

I hope you start enjoying the roleplay a bit more, Wildstar dear. =/ If you're not having fun it makes me sad.

Sleety, my goal is to up Dawnkit's adorable factor by 300% in order to explain why she hasn;t been strangled by irate MountainClanners yet. (heh)

BiC: Lightfur's first reactions was a useless hope that this was all a joke, not a reaction usually associated with the dedicated deputy. But what was she supposed to think, when after all they'd been through, the terrible transition from StormClan to MountainClan and the terrific casualties they'd endured in their harsh new territory, now apparently they were being threatened by massive, extraordinarily dangerous cats? How would you even fight something like that?

Instantly she disciplined herself mentally. How did she ever fight? Lightfur extended her claws for a moment, thrusting them deep into the morning-cool soil beneath her feet.

"Patrols." she said, facing facts, as Wildstar padded away to contemplate. "We need one to go out as soon as possible, to figure out the immediate situation and any further developments." Lightfur was analyzing various possible patrol makeups, not wanting to leave the camp without too many warriors. The golden deputy turned to the medicine cat. "Starlight, would it be possible for you, Stonepelt and me to confer in your den, privately?"

Lightfur leapt up onto the Talspire beside Stonepelt, nudging the battered cat gently with her muzzle. "Come on, Stonepelt, I'm sure that you can rest in Starlight's den- she's the medicine cat, now- and if you could tell me absolutely everything you know about these leopard things I would be very grateful." It was best to get his scrapes and scratches treated, and he looked half-starved as well.

Casting her glance about as she waited for Stonepelt to collect himself, the deputy considered for a moment. "Flowertail, could you take some fresh-kill to Starlight's den for Stonepelt, please?" Normally Lightfur would have had one of the apprentices do it, but Willowpaw and Bramblepaw looked utterly stunned, Regalpaw just looked bewildered, and it also seemed cruel not to let Flowertail be by Stonepelt's side now that he had finally returned.

Pearlclaw huffed slightly at being ignored (It wasn't very often that she expressed concern, after all!) but was smart enough not to press the question.

The white-and-black she-cat tried to imagine what Willowpaw and her brother would be feeling right about now, but couldn't quite manage it. Her father had died before she was ever born, while her mother had died in the trip from StormClan to MountainClan, along with her three brothers. Pearlclaw could vaguely remember a huge, creamy-ivory-sweet-smelling-sandpaper-tongue presence that was her mother and three little, quick, clumsy-happy-mewling balls of fur that were her brothers, but nothing beyond that. Even if her father had suddenly appeared, it wouldn't have been the same- she'd not had a devoted mother to tell her stories of her brave father for Pearlclaw's entire life.

Poor Willow. It must be such a shock.

Pearlclaw was less concerned about the leopard, not being able to picture the actual gravity of the situation Being quite a bellicose creature even amongst her ClanMates, she welcomed an opportunity to defend her Clan against actual enemies. MountainClan was strong, with brave and devoted warriors and great leaders- they would not, could not be beaten. It stood to reason.

Dawnkit purred, just basically happy. "Have you ever seen a l- a le- a leepard, Daddy?" she asked curiously, tilting her head back as far as it would go to try and touch her nose to his. Without waiting for an answer, she pivoted and mostly bounced over to Bramblepaw, hopping up and down in from of him to get his attention. "Bramblepaw, Bramblepaw, have you ever seen a leepard? Is that really your Daddy?"

It was a little strange to see Bramblepaw's father. Daddy was the only father Dawnkit had ever met before, and Stonepelt didn't look like him at all. Poor Bramblepaw and Willowpaw, not to have a strong fluffy white Daddy with pretty blue eyes. Dawnkit felt a little sorry for them. Oh well, not everyone could be lucky like she was, and since she was a big cat- almost an apprentice, practically!- she wouldn't say anything to show off.

She poked Bramblepaw with her paw (claws sheathed, of course) to get his attention. He looked too weird! Like he had fallen asleep, kind of, maybe, but his eyes were open and everything. "Bramblepaw? Braa-mblepaw! Are you sleeping?" The little gold-and-white kit peered up into his face.

--

Mask ignored Light's snide remark for the moment, replying with a satisfied purr to Crystal's inquiry. "They're getting sleeker and bigger every day, I swear it. I don't know if I'll be ecstatic or devastated when they finally become apprentices." The pale grey leopard gave a little half-laugh. "Thank you for asking, Crystal."

Unruffled by the hostility which was emanating from Light, he blinked at her with pale blue-grey eyes. "Eavesdropping does imply a certain element of stealth." he pointed out. "I should hope that no one in our Clan would ever feel the need to snoop and sneak in order to learn things." He paused. "Even private things."

Glacier looked even more haggard than usual, and Mask ached to go over to his friend- that is, if he managed to get past the leader's angry-daughter-barrier. The masked leopard sincerely doubted that what was going on was, indeed, private- it was possible that something which could upset Glacier to this extent might only involve him and his daughter, but with Crystal in the mix, it looked bigger than that. Ah, well, he couldn't say that, as a senior warrior, being snapped at by an apprentice did not irk him a little, but Mask had never been one to lecture or reprimand, or to huffily stand on rank. Besides, even if he had been so inclined, Glacier looked to tired to deal with an argument between Mask and Light at the moment.

"Anyhow, before I head out, will I be needed for scouting this morning?" he asked the leader. "I was thinking that I could hunt, since we seem a little low on fresh-kill, but if you need me about of course that's another thing altogether."

He showed no inclination to scurry off just because he had been ordered- ordered!- by an apprentice to do so. Mask took orders from Glacier, not from Light, even if she was the heir. And he sincerely hoped that she matured a little before she assumed the leadership.

Kind of OoC Note: As you may have gathered, Mask is not exactly worshipful towards Light. She strains even his almost everlasting patience because of her attitude. It irritates him that she makes Glacier, who is stressed out enough already, worry about her. He hates seeing Glacier deteriorate and he lays some of the blame on Light, because her attitude and actions make Glacier's situation worse rather than helping him during an extraordinarily difficult time. He blames her partially for his own feelings of helplessness.

[Sleetfoot]

**Aw!!! It is totally working Lighty don't worry! I think yer at about 200%. Keep it coming **

Sleetfoot was about to reply to the fluffy scrap in his paws but she bounded off before he could say anything. Watching silently, pure love in his bright eyes, he listened to what Lightfur was saying. Se hadn't actually chosen cats for a patrol but he figured that he would probably be going out soon.

When he looked back over at his kit he nearly panicked. Racing to her side he wrapped a fore-paw around her, pulling her away from his petrified apprentice. "Dawnkit, sweetie, no. Let's let them be right now. They probably need to converse with one another. Why don't we go closer to the nursery. We can play leopards and MountainClan if you want."

Knowing his middle kit couldn't resist a fun game, he started over for the nursery. "We must be careful not to disturb your mother and litter-mates though. A little background for you, so we can play this game correctly. Leopards are large, about twice to thrice my size. They are generally a light gray with dark black spots. Kind of like Mudsplatter but...white. They are very vicious creatures. So," He looked around at the other cats, speaking in hushed tones. They where all able to talk about the upcoming problem but he had to put on a brave face and keep calm for his kit. "I'll be the leopard and you be a full grown, loyal and fearsome MountainClan Warrior."

He went around the corner and let her ready himself before taking a deep breath and walking, rather heavily, back to where she was. Speaking in a deep voice he said "Grr! I am a terrible leopard! Oh look! A poor defenseless kitty. I shall eat her!" He crouched and prepared to spring at the kit. Gently, of course.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crystal dipped her head again to the elder warrior. "Fattening up are they? Well, they take after you then don't they?" She playfully poked at his underbelly with the tip of her tail. But despite her playful tone, the air around them was still deep and heavy.

"I just returned from a scouting mission so you probably won't need go out." She glanced back at her leader. "A hunt might be nice though." Of course, she had no say in what the older tom did. That was up to Glacier. She started to pass the leader to head into his den. "I'll wait for you."

Once she was alone, she let herself fully confront the situation. What exactly had she seen? A frightened tiny...I guess you could call it a cat. It had the same build as she but it was small and scraggly. No leopard would ever let their pelt look like that. And he had run off so quickly. Whey was a cat so quick to flee?

She would tell her leader and second exactly what she encountered however. No hiding. She had run the...cat for lack of a better term, of their territory and she couldn't see him...it? coming back any time soon. Even so, if there where other non-prey things living near them the Clan need to know.

[Starlight]

Starlight was filled with dread when she heard Stonepelt's description. It was no coincidence--the leopards were the enemies StarClan had prophesied. And one of these was the large cat of her dreams, marked with a strange eight-point star.

As calmly as she could, the medicine cat replied, "Of course, Lightfur." Starlight pawed her way forward. "Come with me please, Stonepelt."

[Willowfoot]

ooc: Awshoot. I'm just gonna post something lame.

ic:

Bramblepaw actually wanted to tell Dawnkit to stay for at least a moment, but Sleetfoot took her away and quickly preoccupied her. Any friend would be good. He decided that he couldn't stay with his mother; she wouldn't understand. Willowpaw had Regalpaw to go to, but he really wasn't comfortable near the two of them. Great StarClan, they had suckled together! He was practically their brother!
He decided he would go look for Rosepaw or Bluesky's other kits.

Willowpaw split away from her brother. This was too much at one time. She went back to where she and Regalpaw had been sharing and forced herself to smile. "Please, come talk to me." She hoped that the forced cheerfulness would give away the fact that she didn't want to talk about it right now. When she was calmer and could process it, maybe.

Stonepelt tried to hide the excitement at a spot of fresh-kill after his run. He crawled from the Tallspire, staring at the medicine cat. She was a little young... and seemed incredibly familiar.
But no, that wasn't possible. She couldn't have been much more than sixteen moons, and he was out of camp at that time. In fact, he had been gone for seventeen.
Something strange happened to his train of thought, and he wondered what had happened to the kit.
But of course she was dead. She had to be. If the impact hadn't killed her, surely she had been bleeding a lot.... perhaps to death. The more he thought about it, the more he considered the possibility.
Eventually, he shook his head and decided he was being delusional.

Flowertail leaped up and picked the freshest piece of meat from the top of the pile, making sure that Stonepelt could be happy. He was back! She still could barely believe it. All he needed was to be nursed back to health and he would be good as new. She sat down in the den beside him without thinking about it, then caught herself. She looked to Starlight. "I'm sorry... should I leave?" It was strange, having to treat her with respect. Of course she was the medicine cat, but she was only sixteen moons. Granted, she had become medicine cat under unusual circumstances. Flowertail had decided to stop keeping track of her age for a while.