.:Troubleing Times:.

[xox.Icey.xox]

The night was silent and a cool breeze drifted through camp that night. The moon was at its highest peak and it glowed ever so brightley. It lit up the entire camp and it eluminated two large muscular frames. Lunarstrike and his father Ashfoot.
Both of their eyes shone, both an emerald green and both holding an angered glarre. Ashfoot's body was much more leaner than his sons, however he was old. Lunarstrike portrayed a much younger Ashfoot but he held very stunning features inherited from his mother, and some say...his uncle. Hawkstar.
It was quiet but only did their low growls rumbleing in their throats break the awkward silence. "Now listen to me Lunarstrike I am ordering you to leave with me this instant. I am your father and your mother wanted me to look out after you and your siblings. But they....." Ahsfoot shook his frustrated head. His green eyes returned to his sons. "Shadestar was right Hawkstar has gone mad and I've seen it. He killed your mother!" he snapped.
Lunarstrike looked away a grim look on his face. "Father my place is in WIndclan, you are just running because your afraid. I can take care of myself and I dont need you" he hissed.
Ashfoot continued to glarre at his son. "I dont understand" he muttered. Ashfoot's weakening paws fell beneath him. Ashfoot lay in the soft cool sand his eyes transfixed no where. "Your mind has been changed, Hawkstar has over run you and you have no where to go. You are becoming just like him" he growled.
Lunarstrike narrowed his eyes, he wanted to badly help his father up but he ignored him. "I dont care what you do or where you go. I am not leaving with you."

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Her figure but a meer shadow in the moonlight glad, her paws disturbing the sand silently as she crept forward. she recieved her name from the grace she displayed at every moment. It may be that she was concidered mischevious, and this was true, she wouldn't deny it, but she wasn't evil. Loyal, plain and simple. As her teal eyes focused on the outlines of Ashfoot and Lunarstrike, her lips curled in frustration. She let out silent curse, knowing it was time she interrupted. She didn't need to hide in shadows any longer. It greived her still that she's lost her aunt, her sister and now her mother, but she still had her father and no matter the price he was someone she had sworn to protect with her life. The deputy straightnend up, her paws placed themselves one in front of the other as she made her way out of the shadows and into the moonlight hollow of the WindClan Camp. "Well well" she mewed as she pretended to be witnessing the scene with intenisty for the first time. Her eyes drifted over the two, so alike but so diffrent. She felt sympathetic for Ashfoot, she knew what he was going through. As well as for Lunarstrike, for she knew what it was like to have parents and duty be on seperate levels. "You two know the rules" she chastised, shivering slightly from the crisp breeze that ruffled her tabby pelt. "Tonight is a night of chilling spirts and corrupted hearts. This wind could easily cause the death of you both. " she said "Although if Hawkstar knew what you where trying to do Ashfoot he would kill you on the spot for being traiterous to WindClan" she warned, her young eyes critical. "You are free to leave WindClan, but Lunarstrike may not. He is of use to us, and he knows that this is where his loyalties lie. You need not fill his mind with poison. " she said, her eyes flashing. She sat, her tail lashing from side to side. She couldn't decide how she was going to punish him for his continous lack of discipline. But kicking him out of the clan was exactly what he wanted. Her eyes narrowed to slits as she concentrated on the old tom, waiting to see if he'd deny and protest against her accusations.

[xox.Icey.xox]

Ashfoot shook his head to the side, a grin creapt on his face. A very sarcastic grin, it soon faded to a frown. Ashfoot stood up on all four of his paws, shaking as he did. "Dont tell me how to talk to my son Ripplestream" he growled lowly.
Lunarstrike flashed his stunning green eyes to his cousin Ripplestream. He couldnt help but feel a little thankful for her presence. This dicussion with his father was rather difficult.
Ashfoot felt his teeth grind at the mention of "poison and how Lunarstrike would be so useful". "I dont understand how you both can follow a leader who would kill his own sister to get to the top, who would do anything to take over." he snapped. Ashfoot began to pace, he was so frustrated with what was going on in his life and Lunarstrikes.
"You both dont realize and dont know anything I do. You havent been through..." Ashfoot couldnt finish the last part of his sentance. He could feel a heavey lump in his throat, his eyes began to water. He looked away trying to shake away the terrible memory.
Lunarstrike's heart sank and he looked at the ground not saying a word.
Ashfoot felt his anger rise again "I hope that he does kill me or exiles me , whats the point of me staying everyone thinks I am the clan lunatic." he snapped once more, eyeing Ripplestream and Lunarstrike.

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Rippledstream stiffled a growl "You know Ashfoot" she snarled "For a cat of Windclan you seem to be very faint of heart and ignorant of the warrior code" she spat, clearly furious with her uncle and his accusations. "No matter who leads WindClan, it is up to us to follow. " she saidm her eyes cold as stone, giving away no emotions. "We are simply doing our duty to our Clan. You cannot change the past. Whatever your past has been the future is spotless. " she said, knowing it wouldn't make up for her fater's flaws but it was at least diffrent. "Seeing as Starclan accepted Hawkstar, that means there's something in it for us" she mewed "Icestar admitted defeat. She didn't try to fight it. She let go." she said, knowing the words would sting the tom. Maybe he'd submiss to her. She didn't know. She turned her stunning eyes onto Lunarstrike, knowing her cousin needing to be backed up and it was what she was doing. Ashfoot didn't understand the risks they where willing to take for their clan. Nobody could understand the depth of thier will and trust in Starclan. "You're generation is coming to a close Ashfoot" she warned "Our generation will be a shock to you all it has been proclaimed. Whether for better or worse we know not. But it is my intention to find out" she said, her voice as soft as silk and as cool and crystal.

[/size]

[xox.Icey.xox]

Ashfoot's eyes narrowed on Rippletstream as her sharp words pured out. Ashfoot had a thick hide and wasnt put off easily but the one thing that bothered him was when others talked about Icestar. He glarred at Ripplestream that is until his son began to speak.
Lunarstrike but feel a little stung by herr words, but what she said was true. She was in a way being mean to be nice. Lunarstrikes stunning green eyes made their way uneasily to his fathers. Lunarstrikes massive paw took a step forward. "Father she is right your generation is coming to an end and you must accept that" he meowed simply.
Ashfoot didnt say a word, he stood there for a moment his old eyes just blank showing no emotion. "Dont talk about Icestar that way, she let go but she never gave up her onogin battle, she had made sure there were others to fight in her sted" he growled. "It's true I am the last of my generation who still roam as warriors. But no matter what generation you two live in you will always be bound by the same warrior code. As far as I'm concerned the code has changed in Windclan. You have bee's in your brains if you dont see it. Hawkstar will not stop until he has everyone under his power, until he has his claws wrapped around everything. He will not stop the ongoin craving for power that envolves around him" he meowed a little less aggresstion in his voice.

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Rippledstream laughed in spite of herself "you are a fool Ashfoot" she snarled, starting to get annoyed with the tom. "Icestar was strong but she knew her generation was over and that it was her time to step down. Unfortunately for us all that meant death. But no matter how much I love my father, I know he's old. A leader might get nine lives, but age still feeds on them. He won't last forever. You are arrogant and selfabsorbed if you haven't realized that I'm not absorbed or drawn in or that I believe in what my father strives to do. One day it will be my duty to lead WindClan unless I die before that. When that time sets upon me, Icestar will have been a huge influence on my lead" she said, her claws kneading the ground "I am very found of you, but you disappoint me" she said, her eyes full of honesty "I wouldn't think you'd be the first to question my undying loyalty to StarClan and the warrior code. It is your own lack of faith that has led you astray." she said, her eyes flashing. She took a step towards Lunarstrike, thei shoulders aligned. Ashfoot was testing his luck and she knew that. If it came to a fight, she wasn't looking forward to having to punish him but she would do so if it meant follow the code.

[xox.Icey.xox]

Ashfoot's teeth began to grind in his mouth. He could feel his lip curl and his claws began to sheath and unsheath in the soft soil.
Lunarstrike lowered his head, his claws slowly unsheathed themseleves and his green eyes narrowed. "Dont even think about Ashfoot" he growled lowly.
Ashfoot straightened himself up, taking a big breath as he did. He knew that he was a little older than Hawkstar but by a few moons. Hawkstar didnt show the age he did. His body had become stronger when he was passed the nine lives. Icestar was right, as well as Ripplestream that his age did feed on him. Ashfoot didnt care he didnt trust him at all and his opinion wasnt going to change. "Ripplestream and Lunarstrike you may not think that I appreciate anything you both or believe in your loyalty. But I am honoured to be this age and see you both prosper. My opinion is different and there is no changeing it, Through my experiance Hawkstar has proven himself to me as an enemy ever since he considered killing me that day." he meowed addly a low growl.
Lunarstrike straightened up, his loyalty was to his clan and he felt as it was his job to keep it safe. Even if their leader was power-hungrey he would stand by WIndclan. "Father are opinions are different but it doesnt mean that you cant stand by WIndclan in this dark time"
Ashfoot looked to the side, he didnt know what to say.

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Rippledstream felt her chest rumble with a growl as she noticed Ashfoot preparing for battle. The noise died away as he straightened up, although she didn't untense her muscles for a moment. "It is the warrior that makes the clan, not the leader" she said, her tone holding no emotion what so ever. "We all suffer and we all gain, will you turn away from your clan because of your own individual suffering? Hawkstar might not be nice and he may not be friendly and heck occasionaly he's power thirsty and breaks the warrior code. But all of this, not that he is on top, will only be to make WindClan strike. Will you turn aside while your clan prospers? Because you never left our side when we faltered" she pointed out "Your duty is to WindClan, not only to Hawkstar. You owe us your wisdom, if nothing else" she said, her teal eyes full of wisdom. She eased slightly, but her instincts where still sharp and her reflexs raw. She looked at Lunarstrike, she gazed at Ashfoot from the corner of her eye, not letting him leave her line of vision. He may be kin, but she still didn't trust him.

[xox.Icey.xox]

Lunarstrike eyed Ripplestream for a moment. Just studying her face. He nodded agreeing with what she said. He couldnt help but admire his cousin. She was wise and noble to WIndclan. At times like these Windclan needed more of these cats. He shook his head though it wasnt a time to admire everybody. His yellow eyes turned back to Ashfoot. "Father, Ripplestream is right. No matter who the leader is this is your clan and you should support it."
Ashfoot sighed and his muscles untensed, his skin rippled from and his old eyes fell as he lowered his head. They were right and there was nothing else to snap back at either his son or niece. Ashfoot just lifted his head his eyes just passed their troubled faces. "I'll be back" he muttered, clearly the lump in his throat. His old legs shook but he slowly made his way towards the entrance of camp. His gray pelt slowly disappered in the midst of the night and fog.
"Ripplestream I'm sorry" Lunarstrike muttered still looking at where Ashfoot has gone.

[.:Rippledstream:.]

Rippledstream dipped her head and watched as the tom's shoulders sank as well as his pride, or so it seemed. As Lunarstrike spoke she shook her head, a grim smile appearing. "He's understood and that's whats needed for his good more than anything. I'm afraid my father would have been very cross had he found out that his suspicions about Ashfoot's loyalties where true." she sighed "At least we've saved a soul tonight, or at least we've saved him from a considerable amount of suffering compared to the burden of your mother's death." she murmered. She bathed in the silence for a long while, her eyes roaming around the familiar terrain. "Well," she mewed, breaking the tense quiet. "I have to be off, I have to catch up on my sleep before assigning patrols in the morning." she said and with that she got to her paws. "Would you mind leading a patrol tomorrow and some point?" she asked, her teal eyes where tired but triumphant. She'd done what she needed to do and things in Windclan would be a little better because of it. Those where her intents, to ease the damage her father might create and to heal the grudges of the clan.

[/size]

[xox.Icey.xox]

Lunarstrike looked at his paws and shifted them on the cold ground. His eyes just starred at nothing but his mind was at a trance. He still took in Ripplestreams words with consideration. He nodded his head, "sure no problem" he meowed clearing his throat. His yellow eyes lifted up slowly to look at Ripplestream, he could tell she was frustrated as well as tired she had been doing nothing but work. She was right about Ashfoot however, his life was saved. If Hawkstar knew about this.....he shook that mind away. "See you in the morning" he meowed simply, he dipped his head in a farrwell and headed back off to the warriors den. His tail dragged in the dust.