Lingering Shadows :(Hazelstar, Spiritpaw):

A black figure slowly stalked through the tall grass of the moor, crouching low to blend into the shadows of the night. Summoned by evil itself, he was bloodthirsty and eager to please. And an unfortunate victim was his target, hidden deep inside of WindClan camp. If he managed this death, he was sure he was going to be getting a lot of good comments from his father. It was all Spiritpaw's fault anyway. He was going to die too. All thanks to his little stunt he performed with the leader. It was all his fault. He was going to pay. A warrior stood by the entrance, standing in the way of his dark deed. Her dark blue gaze scanned carefully through the grass, guarding the camp. It was Stargaze, one of WindClan's female warriors. She was easy prey, for she lacked confidence and skill. Smirking, Nightpaw crept closer, as if stalking prey, then right when the she-cat pricked her ears in suspicion... Nightpaw lunged. With one skillful blow she stumbled, caught off guard by the sudden attack. He needed to get a good grip of her to use his special skill. A weapon that was meant just for this. Something any cat would wish to have. Since there was a slight size difference, he wasn't going to risk trying to pin the older cat down. Instead, he used his smaller size against her, leaping onto her back and crushing her neck with his jaws. Instantly she fell dead. If the fang imprints weren't so large, someone would think an adder killed her, since the marks weren't that deep. His teeth weren't long enough to kill that fast or dig into skin that deep. Luckily, though, his gift from his father aided him, and hopefully it would be this easy for the Clan leader as well. Leaving the dead she-cat, he slipped into camp, resting his gaze upon each den. Too large. Too large, Each den he spotted was for many cats instead of one. Then he spotted the den which obviously held the meeting place for the Clan. Hazelstar's den. Quietly he raced toward the sleeping place for the leader, letting himself in without a sound. Perfect. He guided himself through the darkness, then bit. This was going to be hell for the leader's last lives. He was going to make sure of it. [bg=131313][atrb=border,0,true]

Spiritpaw's eyes flashed opened the second the meeting was over. He was on his feet in less than that. He didn't care if one of the apprentices woke from his sudden movements - he had to warn Hazelstar. He had been asleep for so long it was night time. The moon and stars twinkled above, but that didn't comfort Spiritpaw like it usually did. Nothing could comfort him until this threat was gone, and Hazelstar was safe. The black tom raced out of the apprentice den, perhaps stepping on a few tails. He didn't know, he didn't care. Great StarClan, at the moment he didn't care if his secret was discovered! He stepped out of the mass of apprentices and scanned the camp for anything out of place. He stiffened when he saw Stargaze's unmoving body on the ground. The danger was already here. He may have to fight. Without a sound he raced to Hazelstar's den. He could smell the intruder...ShadowClan. This wasn't Nightstalker, as he had the sent of cold and death. This was a cat who was alive. Spiritpaw rushed into the den. This was Nightpaw. His brother had Hazelstar in his mouth. Her body was limp. Spiritpaw yowled with anger and flung himself at Nightpaw. "How dare you!" Spiritpaw growled as he rolled off of Nightpaw. Nightpaw was going to pay. Surely his yowls had awoken some cats in the Clan. But one could never know. Spiritpaw was shaking to much from anger, his throat was dry, perhaps he hadn't been loud enough. But that didn't matter. Nightpaw was sent here to kill Hazelstar. Spiritpaw wouldn't let him get away with it. [bg=df9f22][atrb=border,0,true]

Hazelstar had trouble falling asleep that night. All of her thoughts rested solely on Spiritpaw. They ranged from seeing him so determined to become a warrior; to twisting into his father's menacing face. These thoughts scared her the most. Her sleep was fitful, it was filled with screaming cats. And what was worse was that she saw him. Him out of all cats. Why did he have to come to her now. Wildstrike. The tom was at the end of a darkened tunnel. The light filtered out behind him. Making him appear an angel to this depressing hell. Every time she'd try to reach him; just so their pelts could touch once more, someone held her back. A fierce bite to the neck and she fell useless on the spot. And every time Wildstrike would try to tell her something; as if he her warning her each time. Even though every time she knew what was coming. So why was it that when she turned to face her killer she saw- Spiritpaw. Her eyes snapped open as the pain from her dream came all to real. A cat was hoisting her up off the ground. His fangs were piercing the bridge of her neck. Trying to scream she flailed pitifully from his grasp. Trying to twist her muzzle around she snapped the air at his cheek. It was useless she was immobilized. The tom bit down harder; and that's when she felt her whole body convulsed. Hazelstar was a leader, granted with nine lives. She was the oldest leader left in the forest; and she only had two lives left. The first one passed quickly. She watched wide-eyed from above the clouds, as Starclan tried to heal her body. Instead something warm pressed against her pelt. He whispered gently in her ear, "We cannot save you this time, my love." Hazelstar closed her eyes; those visions; those dreams were right. She was sent back to earth with a staggered breath. This was her last attempt; but it was fruitless. Wildstrike already told her the outcome. She was going to die. Hazelstar kicked back with her legs, trying to at least graze her killer's pelt. But she was so weak. She felt her body grow numb, her eyes lull back. The tom dropped her body like worthless prey. Her scents were jumbled; she was confused. So when she glanced up she was surprised to see her apprentice standing there; just like he had in her dream. She tried to open her jaws, her eye lids flickered. Her voice croaked but somehow she managed to spit it out. "I trusted you." The oldest leader in the forest was dead. [bg=33251a][atrb=border,0,true]

"This is what you get for lying to father." Nightpaw got into a calm stance, eying Spiritpaw with a smirk. "Looks like you really did have a connection with that old fleabag. Too bad you killed her. I wonder what the Clan will think of this?" With a step toward his brother he snarled, changing the mood. "Hazelstar isn't the only one that'll end up dead, you know. Your next." Before he could make his move, he heard bodies stirring outside the den. A she-cat crying hoarsely. Nightpaw needed to get out of here before he was seen. He would have to make his second kill another time. At least he managed to kill the leader. Nevertheless, he was rather disappointed. He wanted to make both kills and get it over with, instead of worrying about when or where to kill his second prey. But deep inside, he felt a little guilty for killing his old blood. Maybe it was for the best that he escaped. Spiritpaw was his brother. Maybe he could go unharmed forever. Yet he hid those thoughts, casting his gaze from the entrance back to Spiritpaw. "I'll be back." Then he sped off, blending into the shadows and leaving the leaderless camp behind. [bg=131313][atrb=border,0,true]

Suneyes stirred in her nest. Something didn't feel right. Just minutes ago it had been warm, but then suddenly she felt like a cold hand had grasped her lungs. What was going on? Unsettled by this feeling, she stood up. A couple of other warriors were also stirring. Suneyes stretched, still feeling unsettled, and then padded out of the den. She froze. There was the body of Stargaze laying motionless at the entrance to camp. She heard a gasp and than a yowl of terror behind her as a cat raced toward Stargaze's body. Her tail prickled with concern. Stargaze had never let off an alarm, had it been something else? Heatherflower was already out. It was as if she had never been asleep, but Suneyes didn't dwell on it. Hazelstar needed to know. As she padded over to the leader's den, she smelt a familiar and unfamiliar scent. One was Spiritpaw's, what was he doing up? The other was to faint to smell, as if it had been quick about going and coming. Once the deputy neared the den a stunned Spiritpaw came out. He jumped when he saw Suneyes. "S-Suneyes!" she looked Spiritpaw up and down. "What are you doing in there?" She saw the apprentice gulp. "I-I tried to stop him. I did, I really did. I swear I did!" "Stop who?" Spiritpaw gulped once more "I-I didn't get there in time...h-he killed Hazelstar!" Suneyes froze and starred at the black tom in disbelief. Then she raced into Hazelstar's den - and there was their leaders unmoving body. She gulped as a whimper escaped her mouth. Hazelstar was dead. With her stomach falling in a never ending pit, with tears streaming down her face, Suneyes carefully dragged Hazelstar out of the den. The clan suffered two deaths tonight, both would be painful. But Hazelstar's would have a lasting effect on the Clan. Whatever, or whoever, had killed Hazelstar had been able to take two lives. Yowls of anguish sounded behind her as she placed Hazelstar's body in the middle of camp beside Stargaze's. The whole clan was up now...and Suneyes had to take care of them all...she was leader now. [bg=e7cc93][atrb=border,0,true]

Riverspirit lay in the outskirts of the warriors den, in hopes of being far away from Rustwhisker. It was bad enough he was seducing her with his "charm", and to make it worse they shared the same den, but it was much more aggravating if the two slept together. She was glad that Stargaze had watch duty tonight, or she would be moving all over the place in the den and sleep uncomfortably in a rushed constructed bedding. Every few moments the whole night she had to pick out a thorn or shift into a different position because of her desperate attempt to stay clear of this ignorant tom. She couldn't even sleep in her own nest! What next? Riverspirit just wished it was morning... As if StarClan rescued her, a yowl broke through the clearing. It was Spiritpaw, the apprentice that Eclipseclaw almost killed. She never had too many fond memories with the tom. But it still raised the question of why he would be so loud this late. Departing with her nest she raced out of the den, careful not to upset anyone's sleeping form. It seemed she wasn't the only one who was awakened by the sudden disturbance, though, because some was raising their head sleepily, about to follow her gray tabby form. It didn't seem like a miracle from StarClan, though. Not at all. By the time she made her way out of the den, Suneyes had already got out, and made sense to all of the mystery. Hazelstar was dead. Riverspirit's eyes widened. Who would kill Hazelstar? She was one of the greatest leaders in any of the Clans. And the wisest. Everyone respected her. Even ThunderClan's leader, who treated her as a role-model. What could drive a cat to do such a gruesome act?! Another body was also slayed this night. Riverspirit went up to examine the two fallen warriors. Stargaze was the other body. Tears spilled out from her hazel eyes, her body collapsing in heartbreak. First Eclipseclaw, now Stargaze? Who was she left with now? She had no friends anymore. In the couple of days both of her closest friends disappeared from her life. Riverspirit felt as if her heart was on fire from the two losses colliding right in front of her. As her vision cleared. she saw tufts of black fur in both of the she-cats' wounds. Spiritpaw. "You did this!" Riverspirit yowled, her voice shaky and enraged. Her body flew up as she accused the apprentice of murder. "You killed Stargaze and Hazelstar! It was you! You..." At the last word she fell again, crying and shaking. Why did this have to happen? [bg=ffffff][atrb=border,0,true]

Tears covered Spiritpaw's face. He had lost the only cat he had ever considered family. Hazelstar was gone, and she thought that he had killed her. He wanted to run away from this mess of a life he lead, but what good would that do? If anything Nightstalker would just kill him. And right now, that was all Spiritpaw wanted. As more and more of the Clan came out, as more began crying over their fallen leader, warrior, and friend, the more Spiritpaw felt a pressure on his heart. He had caused this. If he had been faster, been stronger, than none of this would have happened. The Clan wouldn't have to suffer like this. And then Riverspirit appeared. Spiritpaw's heart plunged further than he believed it could. Eclipseclaw was gone, and now Stargaze was gone. This would be even more hard on her than the rest of the Clan. And then she turned to him. "You did this!" Spiritpaw stared at Riverspirit in horror. She was accusing him of this? But he didn't! "I swear, I didn't kill either of them! I-I tried to stop the killer!" he choked out. As he spoke more and more cats looked at him. Suneyes stepped up. "Who was the killer, Spiritpaw, if it wasn't you?" Spiritpaw backed away from the pressing gazes of his Clan mates. "I can't tell...he'll hurt you all too!" The clan still glared at him, with anger, with confusement. None of them knew how hard this was on Spiritpaw. He had been the reason Stargaze and Hazelstar were dead. He felt like he was going crazy! He wished that some cat would come up and help him. His heart was beating a million times a second, he couldn't breath. Couldn't comprehend that this had happened, and that he had killed them both. Maybe not actually killed them, but he had caused their deaths. Why did he have to be so stupid! Heatherflower came forward. "Everyone leave Spiritpaw alone." she growled "Do you think that the killer of Hazelstar and Stargaze would stay around? Their wounds are more like snake bites. Cloudpaw, take Spiritpaw to the den. Give him some chamomile and thyme and set out some lavender to soothe him." Cloudpaw slowly lead the stressed Spiritpaw to the medicine cat den. Heatherflower turned to the Clan. "We may never know how that fur got on them. But I don't think an apprentice such as Spiritpaw would be able to take the life of Stargaze without a sound, let alone take the last two lives of Hazelstar. You saw what state Spiritpaw was in. No one is to bother him about this ever again. Until you have more proof than some random tufts of black fur, Spiritpaw is innocent. Whatever Spiritpaw saw, I can only say that he has gone crazy from seeing it." And then the medicine cat went to help take care of Spiritpaw. [bg=df9f22][atrb=border,0,true]

Stormsong stood over Hazelstar's body, his head dipped in sorrow. No one could have predicted the plague that hit WindClan tonight. A loyal warrior dead, and his friend and leader dead. He didn't think that Hazelstar would ever die because of a foolish cat's blood-thirst. He imaged her dying for her Clan. This was pitiful. No cat, not even Hazelstar, deserves to die like this. The only thing good that comes out of this was that these cats will be remembered with good intentions. Especially him and Frostbite about Hazelstar. He remembered clearly the old times they all spent together. When they were apprentices they were always getting into mischief. The trio were very close. But now it was down to two. Stormsong was never going to forget the she-cat. Not one moment. And one day they would be a trio again. Luckily, he didn't have to worry about the replacement for Hazelstar. Suneyes was a good cat. A loyal warrior. He had no worries about the deputy becoming leader. But still, the death of the two WindClan members concerned him, and he couldn't help but let his deputy instincts take over. Giving Hazelstar's body a last lick he heaved himself up then padded over to Suneyes. "Who do you think did all this?" [bg=29293c][atrb=border,0,true]

Suneyes just watched as her Clan mourned for these horrible losses. She was numb. Hazelstar was gone. This was Suneyes' clan now, she was leader. Today she would prepare for going to the moon pool to receive her nine lives and her new name - Sunstar. But until then, she had to comfort her Clan, if she was going to serve as leader she needed to act as one now. Suneyes sent a prayer up to StarClan, to Hazelstar Please, help me. I don't know what to do. And then Riverspirit had an out burst. Heatherflower was assuming that these two warriors died from a snakes bit. Spiritpaw was going crazy, either temporary or permanent only time would tell. This night was going to be in the memory of all WindClan cats. No one would leave her not affect by this. Suneyes closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and then she felt a presence beside her. It was Stormsong. Suneyes looked at her dear, old friend. He had helped her through so much, and continued to help her. She hoped he would agree to help her through the day. Perhaps even act as temporary deputy until she picked the next one. But first she had to answer his question. Suneyes flicked her gaze over to the medicine cat den. "I don't believe it was a snake, that's for sure.. she replied "But until, or if, Spiritpaw ever regains sanity, I don't think we'll ever know for sure." Her gaze returned to Stormsong. "Stormsong, you are a great friend, you know. I would have never made it this far with out you." she gestured toward the mourning Clan. "I hope that you will help me today too. I don't think I can do this without you." It was true. Every single word she said was true. Shadowtalon was distant, her kits were all grown up. Hazelstar, Stormsong, and Moon were her only friends. Now that Hazelstar was gone, Suneyes was going to rely on Stormsong a lot until her deputy was picked. Suneyes took a deep breath and stood up. "Well, I'm wasting day light." she looked over at her friend, a weak smile on her face "Wish me luck." The old queen padded over to where Hazelstar had made so many announcements. Now it was Suneyes' turn to make those announcements. She swallowed before she called out to her Clan. "WindClan." she called the Clan turned to look at her. They were all there, there was no need to use the formal greeting. "This day we have lost two beloved cats. Our dear friend, Stargaze. And our great leader, Hazelstar. And though we will continue this day mourning these losses, we cannot let any more happen. Life as a Clan must continue, as one life goes another takes it's place. Tonight I will travel to the Moon Pool to receive my nine lives and my new name. Until then, we must be strong. Strong for our lost, for those around us, and for those to come. WindClan has survived and will continue to survive. We are strong." Suneyes fell silent, allowing her Clan to react. [bg=e7cc93][atrb=border,0,true]

RUSTWHISKER
Break my rusty cage and run.

The rusty colored tom had been sleeping; he was in a good mood too. A smirk played across his lips, he had spent this night trying to annoy to Riverspirit. His first attempt was to move uncomfortably close to her every time she almost fell asleep. Of course it was a tad bit immature; specifically because she was vulnerable, since her best friend left. But Rustwhisker never took that into perspective. It was pretty funny that Riverspirit ended up across the den from him, her ears alert for any type of movement. It was ironic how she didn't pick up the killer's movements. And it wasn't until she had heard the cries from Suneyes that she left the den. In pursuit, Rustwhisker followed loyally behind her. He was lost for words at the sight.

Their leader, Hazelstar, laid unmoving in the center of camp. The older warriors, that had known her longer were huddled around her; their tears splattering her pelt. While Suneyes and Stormsong sat whispering to each other, observing the clan. A heavy silence tore the clan apart, it was Riverspirit's screams that indicated something worse. Stargaze was dead as well. Rustwhisker raised his brows, that was her other friend? That meant she was completely alone! He wanted to smirk, he wanted to laugh. But a dull ache only entered the tom's belly. He turned to face the trembling she-cat; tears spilled down her cheeks. He gulped, he wasn't used to being sympathetic. Swallowing his pride he padded up to the blue-gray queen, "Look Riverspirit, Spiritpaw's just an apprentice...I don't think he did this." he murmured. The words tumbled out of his mouth.

Rustwhisker twitched, he looked nervously away. Those weren't the right words. That would only make her mad, wouldn't it? Trying to prove she-cats wrong guaranteed a one way street to hell. The rusty colored tom quickly corrected himself, "Stargaze is up in Starclan now." He sucked at being sympathetic, he really did. So instead he did what he did best. He pressed against her side, and whispered soothingly in her ear, "Your not alone, your clan will always be beside you."

He too, was alone in this clan. His siblings were gone, so was his mother. Although he tried to feel sorry then, it just never happened. Perhaps now he could grieve for the loss of his leader, and the loss of a clan-mate. Rustwhisker urged the pain and fear to tangle itself within him. Instead he only felt uncomfortable. Sympathy, sorrow, those words were more familiar to him than the feelings. Was arrogance the only thing he ever felt? His ears flattened against his head, was he really that sick?

It seemed to be true.

Cloudpaw
The determined medicine cat of Windclan

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Cloudpaw was laying in his den, after talking with Heatehrflower about Mintpaw's death he had felt better. She had helped him understand. But strangely enough he couldn't sleep. He slowly blinked his blue eyes and got up, stretching and quietly padding out of the den hoping not to bother Heatherflower. He was at the edge of the den when he heard the yowls.

Heatherflower was up and out of the den with him right behind her. He stopped his eyes widening. Hazelstar and Stargaze...they were dead. But...who could have done this. He slowly looked around at the cats. None of them look amused or smug and no sense of arrogance came of any of them in waves. A shaking voice answering Riverspirit's yowl made him focus his gaze on Spiritpaw. The poor tom looked terrified, begging the clan trying to tell them he didn't do this. At Heatherflower's command he gently walks over to the shaking tom and put his tail on his shoulder and leading him to the den. He got two or three poppy seeds. He looked around. They had no Bramble twigs. he remembered the Thunderclan medicine cat mentioning something about those helping, but they didn't have any brambles here in windlcan. He saw some lavender and grabbed the freshest stalk. This would be enough.

He padded over and set the poppy seeds in from of spirit paw putting the Lavendar to the side. "Eat these."

[/color] he said softly then nestled down beside the shaking tom. "I know you didn't do it Spiritpaw. And I'm sure the rest of the clan knows too. Things just happened so quickly."[/color]
He murmured the words calmly. If he could d anything for this tom it would be to calm him down. If he got him to go to sleep it would probably be better.[/size][/left]

Whiteheart
The loyal warrior of Windclan

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The white warrior was out of the den the moment he heard the yowls. His eyes found the leader and his heart broke. Who would want to kill their leader...expecially like this? He closed his eyes and fought the tears that threatened his eyes. Then Riverspirit yowled. He looked up and his heart completely shattered when he saw the mangled black body. He couldn't feel anything.
"Stargaze..."

[/color] it was all he could get out before his voice cracked and tears took over.

He slowly padded over to the black she-cat and just found himself staring at her. She couldn't be dead. Only sleeping. Yes...only sleeping. He was going to ask her that day...he was going to ask her to be his mate. He loved her so much...and he was going to show her how much he loved her. She was going to be his for the rest of their lives...

He felt the tears run down his white cheeks and fall onto her black pelt like sad glittering stars. She was gone. He'd never be able to tell her. He slowly sat down and dug his nose into her soft fur.
"Why...why her? Why now?"[/color] he murmured softly into her fur. He cured up beside her his white fur touching her black fur.

They were yin and yang. Two completely different cats that were bound together by love. They had found each other by complete chance and now...death separated them.[/size][/left]