Coming back

[Lilystream]

Oaktail padded into the clearing. He had been practically silent during the gathering, but he had listened to the leader's reports. So, this cat has been to the other clans... he thought. This might become a big problem if we don't do something about it. Oaktail padded into his den to wait for the rest of the patrol.

[Leopardstorm]

Bentfoot limped back into the camp, at the rear of the returning group. He normally walked with the elders due to his slower pace, and thus ended up with a set of claw marks on his side from the loner's attack. They weren't anything serious, as the blow had been a glancing one, but he still planned on having Shypool look at them just in case. It irked him that he didn't notice the loner until it was too late. The fact that he had been conversing with an elder was no excuse for his momentary lack of vigilance. After all, he knew better than most else the perils of letting his guard down for even a second. How long had he failed to pay attention for? The length of a polite discourse? Absolutely unacceptable. He should be ashamed of himself. He was ashamed of himself. To make up for this, he needed to make certain that the cat was no loner in Forestclan territory. Time to organize border patrols. The deputy couldn't do this by himself, now could he?

With this plan in mind, he moved to the warriors den and stuck his head inside. "I know we just arrived back here after this most recent and unfortunate Gathering, but it is urgent that a border patrol is formed at once. Is anyone here interested in leading one?"

[Aurora Eclipse]

Sandstar, hearing Bentfoot, quietly padded over nex to him. "I will lead one." She meowed quietly, seeming to have just appeared there. "Someone else can lead another, but I think I'd like Oaktail to come with me." She glanced around the warrior's den before realizing just how small the clan was. "We need some additions- and quickly." She thought, worried for the clan because of the recent events. Sandstar had never really noticed how small their clan was until now. It wasn't a good realization, either.

[Leopardstorm]

Bentfoot bowed his head to her, not showing any sort of surprise at her sudden appearance. "All right," he said smoothly. "Would you like me to organize another patrol? I would ask to join you, but I have a feeling that I would just slow you down." If Sandstar was leading a patrol, perhaps he could afford to lead another one and cover a different part of the territory. That is, if she didn't take all of the decent warriors with her first. Even though he would refuse to let her leave the camp without adequate protection, as he knew that she was running low on lives and was quite possibly on her last one already, he could hardly afford to go without strong warriors himself. Sandstar may be on her last life, but she could still defend herself much better than Bentfoot ever could, even before his accident. There were so few cats in the clan that he had to organize patrols carefully. Fireclan may normally be the smallest clan, but lately Forestclan hadn't been doing much better. He couldn't send too many cats on patrol all at once or they'd be too exhausted to go when he ran out of fresh cats to send, but at the same time he couldn't send too few without risking them being incapable of handling any threats that they may encounter. It was a careful balancing act, and one of the main reasons that he enjoyed his position. The loner made things even harder, but if he was in a better mood he would relish the possibility of a challenge.

Of course, that was largely irrelevant to the fact that at the moment he only needed to know if he could afford to lead a patrol himself.

[Lilystream]

Oaktail nodded. "Yes, Sandstar." Inwardly, he was worried despite his serious face. He knew that Sandstar was running low on lives, and the loner seemed strong enough to destroy her last one. Oaktail didn't want another cat to die when he could have stopped it. No, this will not end up like Maplepaw. He got up and stood next to his leader.

[Aurora Eclipse]

((The clan isn't told when the leader is on their last life. Only the medicine cat and the leader themself know that at all times. Firestar was an exception, because Bluestar seriously trusted him. A warrior might know the leader was low on lives, but never the specifics.

Also (Plot twist! *maniacal laugh*) I think that Sandstar and another warrior, possibly even the deputy should fall in love... And then Sandstar dies. I know it's sort've cruel, but it's actually kind of fun to write that stuff.))

Sandstar briskly padded out of camp, glad to have Oaktail with her. "Keep a sharp eye out for that loner while we're patrolling. I don't want him sneaking up on us in our own territory again." She sniffed the air for irregular smells before padding out of the entrance of the camp and towards the border.

[Lilystream]

Ooc: Oh, well... ok. The loner encounter will be your call if you plan to have one.

Oaktail started sniffing too. He did smell some scent by the way to Star Island, but that was from the attack. Luckily, Oaktail didn't get any serious injuries, but he did get a cut on the base of his tail. He was glad Sandstar wasn't hurt during the attack. She was a great leader, after all.

[Leopardstorm]

ooc// I know, but Bentfoot would do his best to keep track of Sandstar's lives. He doesn't know the exact number, obviously, but he's erring on the side of caution and assuming the lower number.

Also, that is absolutely evil. I love It. Bentfoot's not an option, though. He wouldn't be interested.

And since he is now irrelevant to this thread, I am out, yo.

[Lilystream]

Ooc: So evil. >:3 Oaktail could be the person. He's loyal enough, and it would be even more heartbreaking for him because something like this has happened to him before.

[Aurora Eclipse]

((Heh heh heh... >:3 Sounds great. By the way, is that a quote from the Incredibles I see in your signature?))
Ic: Sandstar glanced at Oaktail with a smile, thinking of his loyalty. He was such a kind cat, really. She kept sniffing the border, glad to have some personal time with such a loyal and devoted warrior. Now that she thought about it... He was really quite handsome.

[Lilystream]

Ooc: *fistpump* Someone got it!

Ic: Oaktail took a quick look at Sandstar. Her tan coat reminded him of Maplepaw...He shook the thought out of his head. No, he thought. This won't end up like her. Although she was pretty, he thought she was way out of his league. She was the leader of the clan. But...her personality linked back to Maplepaw too. He sighed inwardly, sort of at war with himself.

[Aurora Eclipse]

(( :3 Edna's my favorite character, along with Jack Jack.))

Sandstar realized Oaktail was looking at her, and shifted uncomfortably. She finished sniffin the area, and looked up. "I think we're clear, mostly only stale scents here and there." She meowed, turning to look at Oaktail. "You want to hunt for a little bit before heading back to camp?"

[Lilystream]

Oaktail quickly looked away when he saw that Sandstar noticed him, and he uneasily said, "Yes, ma'am. We could use some more fresh-kill." He looked around for some prey to catch. Oaktail realized this was getting very awkward for the two of them. He hoped he wasn't a bother to her.

Ooc: What kind of prey lives in Forestclan?

[Shypool]

((Well, whatevers in the forest))

Shypool was in her den.She was quite lonely,and had finished everything, so she padded out.She loked around forBentfoot or oaktail, they had both been in the patrol attacked by a rogue, and needed to see any injuries.