Secrets Revealed [Open]

[-W.h.i.t.e- [S.h.a.d.o.w]]

Shadowstrike moved silently through the forest, he had been hunting earlier and decided to take a break. He circled the rock in the middle of the hollow before leaping up onto it. He enjoyed the RavenClan forest, but he was still very homesick. It had only been one moon since he'd joined the clan, he was still getting the hang of the territory. Though he had learned it very well in such a short time without much of a guide. He had grown a small friendship with the leader Auburnstar, but he had told no one of why he was there. When people asked he would normally answer that he had been wrongly accused of things, but he would elaborate no more.

He hoped that he would meet Auburnstar here, he wanted to confide in her his secret. It seemed right that the leader would know this thing about him, also he trusted her as a friend. His purple eyes gazed around as he listened for sounds of other cats that may be around.

ooc// Heh, not as long as I'd hoped... xP

[89darkthorn89]

Shadowpool trotted silently through the forest, his midnight black pelt blending well. He hadn't thought about where he was going, and suddenly found himself in the Forest Hollow. His eyes had been downcast, no wonder he hadn't seen, but he was still surprised with himself. His colorless orbs swept the clearing, not moving his head. He noticed Shadowstrike almost immediately, and swerved to where he was sitting without breaking stride. Shadowpool was definitely not one of the most social cats, he wasn't very up for friendly conversation, but he had no problem with companionable silence. He had been hunting all day, so it didn't do any harm, he deserved a rest. He placed himself on the ground a small ways from Shadowstrike, and began to groom a jet black paw absently. "Where'd you say you came from?" He asked in his quiet voice, which was why people had so easily connected him to his treacherous brother Darkthorn. His eyes narrowed with rage as he thought of his brother, and he waited for Shadowstrike's reply quietly, thoughts dancing in his dark mind.

[-W.h.i.t.e- [S.h.a.d.o.w]]

Shadowstrike looked over as Shadowpool sat down near him. His own long black pelt blew lightly around as a small unexpected wind blew through. He looked back down at his paws, violet eyes glancing over them as he decided his answer. He had to be careful, anyone here could be from the clans he's come from. Anyone could know who he was if he wasn't careful.

"Across the mountains to the north. Almost a moon's journey here."

He watched Shadowpool curiously, his own eyes held no emotion, or not much, he did seem slightyl curious. His ears flicked towards the tom focusing on him, but soon after one ear twisted around scoping for anyone else.

[89darkthorn89]

Shadowpool nodded, replacing the paw on the ground he sat on. "I came from far away also, from clans that lived in a mountain range." He was equally careful, noting the tom's curiosity suspiciously. After moons of being a prisoner he was a master at reading cat's emotions. And he was in no need of another cat that feared him for his history, nor another cat that could compare him to Darkthorn. At the thoughts of his brother his brother he became angrier, laying his black auds against his cranium and letting a small his escape his maw. He quickly controlled himself though, remembering he was in the presence of another cat...

Ooc- Hehe, you might notice I'm horrible at separating into paragraphs, so don't expect alot of that=P

[-W.h.i.t.e- [S.h.a.d.o.w]]

Shadowstrike nodded, watching Shadowpool with an odd gaze as he seemed to be lost in his own feelings. Shadowstrike sensed a bird in a nearby tree. A low-lying branch. An owl. His ears perked as he flicked his tail motioning to Shadowpool that he'd be back in a moment. He leapt forward soundlessly, he was an amazing hunter. Since he had caught enough prey before he figured that it should be fine for him to share this catch now. He leapt up the tree branch and without even giving the owl a chance to see him he leapt into the tree hollow. A bit of noise gave away the scramble that was happening inside. A few minutes later Shadowstrike was sitting in front of his catch near Shadowpool, licking his paws clean and retracting his long claws.

"Would you like a share?"

He asked Shadowpool before biting into the owl's stomach himself. Yes it was odd for a cat to be catching owls, though Shadowstrike had tuned his hunting skills, he could catch almost any small prey, maybe not the first try every time. He looked up at Shadowpool after finishing his small bite.

"How long 'ave you been here?"

[89darkthorn89]

Shadowpool watched silently as Shadowstrike killed the owl, and was amazed at his skill, though he kept his face and eyes subtly clear of emotion. He shook his jet-black head quietly, lying down on the cold stone. He felt depressed. He admired owls, and was horrified at the death of one of the such magnificent creatures, though he said nothing, it wasn't as though he blamed Shadowstrike.

(Haha, look another paragraph!!) Shadowpool raised his black head from it's previous position on his paws, studying the tom's eyes carefully at his question, and replied slowly, "About a year and a half. How long have you been here?"

[-W.h.i.t.e- [S.h.a.d.o.w]]

Shadowstrike nodded at the tom's answer, Shadowpool had been here much longer than himself. He took another bite out of the owl, yes he knew that owls were amazing creatures. He marveled over the fact that they could fly so silently through the night. Although they were a danger to the cats, especially the kits in the clan, he didn't have a problem killing them for food.

"I've been here almost a moon."

He replied carefully. He was telling the truth, it was hard for him to lie actually, but he wasn't sure what could happen if he gave away to much information. He hadn't planned on telling anyone about what had really happened, well he was only going to tell Auburnstar for now. He hoped she would believe him. He looked up at Shadowpool again. He didn't really know anyone in the clan, he'd been very quiet, trying to avoid everyone.

[89darkthorn89]

Shadowpool nodded in turn, thinking a moment before replying. "I remember when I first came here, it was horrible," At this he let a laugh escape his lips, although it didn't sound like a normal laugh, it sounded menacing, and only a bit insane. Shadowpool snapped his jaw shut, making a slight clicking noise, "I never regretted it, but it was very annoying, always having to ask cats their names, and people always watching me, thinking I was a traitor. Things are better now, but not much's changed about the trust situation." He spoke distractedly, turning his burning gaze out to the forest.

[xxdarky.]

Silence. The night was quiet. Nothing stirred but the soft wind that tugged at the pine tree's needles. There was no movement. the velvety black sky was illuminated by a sliver of the glowing moon and many shining stars that were scattered everywhere, it was much brighter then the forest that lay below which was filled with darkness at every edge. It was as if the place was dead. A lingering sense of dread hung in the air.

But, of course, RavenClan cats were used to this feeling, for they felt it each time they stepped into the darkened forest out from the safety of their camp. Each of them had felt the feeling of eyes watching them on their pelts when there was nobody there, it was the feeling all cats would get until they got used to it.

And all of a sudden, weaving in between the shadows, was a ominous figure. It slank, its body close to the ground. It was a figure no brighter then the shadows themselves, and the only time in which it was visible was when the rare drop of moonlight hit its fur, highlighting each and every color that rested on the greasy pelt. The pelt of Auburnstar.

The she-cat moved as silently as she could. Her paws were leading the way, her mind had no idea where they were going. She wasn't exactly moving fast, but it wasn't a slow gait either. In the middle of the two. And if you couldn't tell who the cat was, and all you saw was the shadow, you would be afraid. Auburnstar was slipping through so smoothly and easily it was as if she was a ghost that had come to haunt the living.

Suddenly, the she-cat halted. Her ears pricked up and her eyes stretched forward looking through the darkness. She had been nearing the Forest Hollow, that she knew, but what she hadn't expected was the find other cats there. There was a pair of voices, and even though Auburnstar strained her ears as much as she could, she couldn't make out who it was or the words that were being spoken. The wind was blowing the wrong way too, so no scent came to her nose. There was no way to tell which cats were up ahead in the clearing.

Now, Auburnstar had three options. One: Walk directly in, showing her authority and hoping for the best. Two: Walk away and don't come back. Three: Lurk in the shadows, move closer, identify the cats and decide if she wants to join them or not. Instantly, the tortoiseshell she-cat eliminated the second choice, her curiosity was to much, she would end up going around asking all the clan cats tomorrow morning which of them was out in the hollow last night. Now the decision became harder. Although Auburnstar didn't doubt the cats in the clearing would quiet when they saw her and they would be respectful of her, whether they be loners or not, she didn't want to get stuck in the hollow with any annoying cats that she didn't want to hang around with. So, that left choice number three left over: hide and listen.

With her decision made, the lithe she-cat made sure her whole body was in the shadows and she started to move forward. She didn't get far before she realized it would be best if she moved around to the other side of the hollow before continuing onward so that her scent didn't blow to the cats inside. This she did, moving silently, her pawsteps barely making a sound. Soon, Auburnstar found herself with a good spot close to the hollow where she could hear clearly. She was sure her scent was masked for the wind was blowing directly into her face. Once again, Auburnstar's red-brown ears pricked upwards and she crouched silently, listening to the words that were spoken.

How long have you been here, a voice said, sounding like a tom. Auburnstar was trying to place her paw on who it belonged to, but the next voice came before she could. I've been here almost a moon," the second voice replied, and as soon as the tom spoke, Auburnstar knew who it was. It was the new cat, the black one with the velvet eyes. The two of them had gotten to talking earlier, and the leader had taken a liking to the tom. What was his name? Oh yes, Shadowstrike.

The next exchange was made by the first cat once more. And once again, Auburnstar was at a loss for who owned it. She knew the voice, but she couldn't place it with a face, and there was no way the she-cat could see the cats from here. It was lucky she was able to hear them, but she had the wind to thank for that.

As the speaking stopped, Auburnstar saw her chance to walk in. With a shake of her long, limp pelt, the she-cat rose to her paws, straightened her back and stepped forward, out of the shadows, into the hollow. The moonlight hit her coat of many colors and made it glow a beautiful aray of silvers. Her auburn eyes shone brightly in the darkness and they found first the cat she had been able to identify, Shadowstrike, and then second the cat that she wasn't able to place a name on. Once she some him however, she knew the name: Shadowpool.

Auburnstar didn't dip her head, or flick her tail in greeting, instead, she let her voice ring out into the night. "Greetings," she said, her voice melting with the wind. It was smooth and soft, almost honey like, just a bit more... sinister.

[ooc;; sorry for the length. It's not my best post quality-wise though.]

[-W.h.i.t.e- [S.h.a.d.o.w]]

Shadowstrike listened to Shadowpool's words and nodded, making a note of them as he normally did with anything like this. He started to speak, but found he had no response. Luckily a figure appeared in the hollow. Shadowstrike was startled, but his eyes brightened a bit. It was Auburnstar, she was the one Shadowstrike had been hoping to run into. His tail flicked behind him, the only other thing showing his slight excitement at her arrival.

"Hello Auburnstar."

He said simply, his tail lowering showing his submission to her. He looked over to Shadowpool wondering what he thought of Auburnstar. Shadowstrike turned his focus back to Auburnstar though, his eyes sending a small hint that he wanted to talk later with her. That he needed to tell her something.

[89darkthorn89]

Shadowpool nodded slightly, showing his recognition of her high status, but kept his jaw firmly shut. His colorless gaze burned into her being, studying her, trying to work the emotions from her eyes and voice. He was not intimidated by her, as many cats were. He had seen things much worse, how bad could she be? He did not submit to her as fully as Shadowstrike did, no one had complete control over him. He finally spoke, his quiet voice somehow weaving through the layers of night, "Hello, Auburnstar." It was simple, but he always tried to convey his emotions into simple speech, he was not a fan of talking. He noticed Shadowstrike's anticipation, and decided he'd better make his exit soon. He shrugged to himself, a barely noticeable gesture. I have prey to pick up anyway, and it's nearly Moonhigh, even though he was probably more adapt to the night than most cats, he didn't appreciate staying up all night and the next day.

[xxdarky.]

A flick of her tail and a twitch from her ears was meant to tell the two toms that Auburnstar had awknowledged them, but in a way she kind of set them off so that they looked more like she was saying she was irritated. Oh well. The multi-colored she-cat took a few paces foward before slowly lowering herself to her haunches so that she could sit instead of standing the whole time they were there.

First, Aubrunstar's gaze turned to Shadowpool. Her auburn pools looked over him, sweeping over his body as if she was sizing him up. It was all she could do to keep a look of disgust from appearing on her face. She had never really liked the tom, he had never seemed to be fully... loyal to her. It bothered her, seeing Shadowstrike lower his tail in recognition of her superiority and giving her respect, while Shadowpool did hardly anything but say "Hello." Auburnstar held her gaze a little longer, lingering on his facial expression, trying to read it, before decided that it didn't really matter and moved her gaze to Shadowstrike.

Now Shadowstrike she liked. He gave her what she wanted, and in return she was kind to him and gave him what he wanted. She gave Shadowstrike a curt nod of her head and then greeted him directly: "Hellow Shadowstrike," she said, her tone soft. Then she once more turned her eyes on Shadowpool, giving him a harder gaze then she gave Shadowstrike. "Shadowpool," she said, also giving a nod, but not trying to hide the further bitterness in her voice. She didn't hold her gaze long on Shadowpool, she had no business with him right now, she wanted to talk to Shadowstrike.

"How are you?" she asked, friendliness in her voice. She really did want to know too, she wasn't asking just for small talk purposes. It interested her to see how those cats that were new to the clan were getting along. The powerful she-cat sat, her eyes hovering over Shadowstrike, awaiting his answer.

[89darkthorn89]

Shadowpool had to keep himself from grinning as Auburnstar inspected him. Just as he was a master at finding other cats emotions, he was a master at hiding his own, she would find nothing in his face but cold aloofness. But her disapproval was obvious. Shadowpool sighed, turning his gaze. He knew it would be disastrous if he talked back to his leader, but with any other cat he would've made it clear: Suck it up! Just get over it. You can trust me! You SHOULD trust me! You should trust me with your life, He sighed again, exasperated with the she-cat. This is what he meant when he said the trust situation hadn't changed much. He rose from his previous position, ignoring that Auburnstar had started talking, and wincing at cramped legs. "Well, I'll be off then, goodbye." He trotted out of the clearing, barely more audible than a shadow, and that's what he felt like right now, a shadow...

[89darkthorn89]

Ooc- I did get permission to do this ^-^

A dark figure trotted through the still forest, some unfortunate form dangling from his jaws. The moon hit his pelt scarcely, even when it did, nothing was revealed. He padded silently on the pine-needle covered ground, stopping to dig something up along the way,adding another being to his collection.

Shadowpool trotted along quietly in the night, thinking. He had only picked up two pieces, hadn't gotten very far. He continued trotting along at a steady pace, he had quite a ways to go.

He walked into the clearing with his head down, the scent was blowing away from him. Once he was close enough to smell the beast without the wind, his dark head shot up, dropping the prey with a soft thump. It was amazing the badger hadn't scented or heard him yet. Shadowpool's heart was racing. A badger! He spun around, trying to be as silent as possible. He raced away from there with what felt like unlimited speed.

He burst into the Forest Hollow, it seemed as though he'd just left. "Badger!" He gasped loudly. "Just a ways from here!" He was still trying to get his breath back. Unlimited speed? yea right. He waited alertly for Auburnstar's reply, what to do? He was basically frantic now. Both his ears were turned backward, ready to catch the faintest hint of a lumbering beast.

[-W.h.i.t.e- [S.h.a.d.o.w]]

Shadowstrike nodded a farewell to Shadowpool as he left and started to answer Auburnstar's question.

"Well, I've learned the territory just fine. But I've been meaning to tell you something...."

He was interrupted by Shadowpool's appearance. He leapt back, his fur lifting. He hadn't been expecting that, but as he heard the words and realized who it was his fur flattened. He looked at Auburnstar, purple eyes knowing they needed to go and chase this badger out, but also wondering if they could. He looked at Auburnstar waiting with a bit of patience for her instructions.