Quenching Thirst ll Private: Sardonyx

[Firestar4ever]

Hailheart ll Sitting beside a puddle.

Hailheart’s sides heaved as he laid next to the puddle, his tongue rasping out again and again to receive the few droplets of water it gave him. He sat up once he had finished, his ears laying back. The cats farther back near the Mountain side also wanted the water. But there was no moss to be found to carry it back to them. The apprentices and warriors that we’re able to come and get it had to stay back and guard the less fortunate. Sighing, Hailheart began to lick his chest fur to rather up the water droplets there. He didn’t care, as he was still thirsty. He had went out on his own to go look for the water, not caring if anyone would follow his example. They could also maybe succeed in finding moss or a spring of water. Just the thought made him parched again.

The blue-gray tom sighed, raising his head. He would have to set off again, to try and find some more water to keep him going on. But it wouldn’t hurt to rest for a bit, right? Laying down, with one lick his chest again, he laid his head on his paws. It was a bit shaded right here, not that it mattered to him. Curling his tail over his back legs, Hailheart had his ears pricked for any signs of life around him. For any prey that came looking for water over here.

[Sardonyx~]

The blue tom hadnt slept for days it seemed...not since after loosing his brother. He had taken for granted having family alive. Sure he had lost his sister, brother, and yes, even his mother but even as he ran around terrozing the clans as a rogue he always had that comforting thought that he had his brother waiting for him in the end. Now it was no one...he had no one. Everyone was gone. He coughed dryly, looking into the dusty horizon of the Unknown, the clan below him moving around ever so slowly, tiredly. They were suffering, and although he could have cared less...he did care now that ehy were his responsibility. The thrown away son of Endlessstar taking the responsibilities of helping lead the clanners.

His wary, blue gaze caught the sad, pathetic, slumped form Hailheart, the young warrior he had met only once, and Tidalclaw's new companion in leading the clans. Shrugging he leapt off the rocks and padded over to him. "You're not gonna get muchc water that way..." he spoke boredly, not looking at the young tom straight. Everyone was hot and thirsty, weak and dying. He needed to start caring and now would be the time. "Maybe we should..ya know, try to find something for the clan?" he offered.

[Firestar4ever]

Hailheart’s eyes snapped open. The voice was familiar, as only one sounded as gruff but yet had a touch of care to it. Tidalclaw. “It’s what I was doing. I just needed a little rest, that’s all.” He mewed as he stood up. Stretching his muscles for a moment, Hailheart surveyed the new leader. Much had happened. The poor Endlessstar had died in his sleep and what he thought was that Riverwhisp was too upset about it and had ran away. It was a sad couple of days for them all. Then Bumblestrike, MarshClan leader, had to step down because his condition got the better of him and Darkfeather took his place. Did he mention that Tidalclaw took his father’s place too? The Clans we’re partially shocked by the choice. Shaking his head to get rid of the memories, Hailheart looked Tidalclaw over. He was about as scruffy as he was.

“Lets’ go then, if you’re goal is get moving.” The blue-gray tom mewed, turning his back to the direction of the Clans. But he only glanced behind him at Tidalclaw once to see if he was coming. So, he set off at a slow walk, not wanting to burn anymore of his energy on this. He’d be lucky to find a few more puddles along here but that was it. Maybe there was a lush forest beyond here? He doubted it really. Hailheart sighed, narrowing his eyes against the bright sun.

[Sardonyx~]

Tidalclaw nodded but hesitated a moment before following after the young warrior. His mind still scrambled about the last events of the few days. Only a moon ago he was running the forests as a rogue, and now? He was responsible for an entire clan and whats worst? He was working with other clan cats to make a living for the rest. He NEVER worked well with others. What in the world was going on with him? He pushed the thoughts aside and started after the tom.

As they got closer to the clan he moved up to parallel Hailheart so the glaring cats from the clan cats didnt pierce him as he walked. Keeping his head down and his gaze low he was focused on the uphill of Mount Hollow. Ignoring the harsh whispers of his fellow clanners he spoke softly in his usual harsh amd husky tone. "When I was a rogue...we usually found water near the rocks...maybe we can find a way into the mountain?" he suggested with a little shrug. He offered the other migration leaders his experiences and his wollingness to adapt.

[Firestar4ever]

Hailheart heard the dark mews, and harsh growls. It seemed like he could also feel their harsh glares just boring into Tidalclaw and then into him. It was unnatural. Listening to the sudden husky voice, the tom turned his head to stare over at his fellow migration leader. “That could work.” He mewed slowly, his eyes narrowing in thought. He wasn’t that good at this type of thing. All Hailheart had known was to find the water in ReedClan that was founded decades ago. How he missed his territory… He glanced at Tidalclaw. He couldn’t break down now, in front of Tidalclaw of all cats. He was going to be the new leader of ReedClan! Just the thought made the fur along his spine lift in anticipation.

It was as if time was flying by, as when Hailheart was done thinking he felt the tiny stones beginning to dig into his pads. Stepping back with a hiss, he was worried he warned Tidalclaw to late. Glancing over at the blue tom, he lifted his ears for any sign of pain. Well, the tom was a rouge after all, and he had said he found water near the mountains. Could his pads have hardened? Shaking that off, Hailheart looked back down at the tiny stones. They had tiny, sharp edges perfect for getting into cats paws. “Have any ideas?” The blue-gray tom finally asked.

[rainpaw]

Rainpaw blinked her hazle eyes as she gazed around the vast waste of land "Aww fox dung...where'd they go?" She worried a bit since at some point she had gotten seperated from the two warriors she was meant to be with while looking for water...what kind of apprentice was she if she couldnt even keep track of other cats for one heartbeat? "Well...I guess ill keep looking for them...oh and gotta keep any eye out for water!" She said more of babbling to herself now since no one was around. Hoping up onto a rock with only a little bit of a struggle due to her slightly frail form she started to flicker her ears to pick up the faintest of sounds hoping to either hear voices or paw steps only hissing now and then as a pebble prodded at her paws with almost every step she took.

Perking her ears up some.she heard the faintest sounds a voices even though she was a tad to far away to tell who's voice was who's it really did catch her attention. She was now scrambling down the rock and landed with a clumsy thud, trotting some towards the sounds of the voices which thankfully got louder as she neared "Tidalclaw? Hailheart? Is that you?" She asked in her delicate sounding voice blinking around still since she hadn't quite pin pointed on where the voices where coming from.