Nothing Old, Nothing New. | Open to All

[Iva]

Tunnelheart
Outside of camp on a hill, near a barren patch of land. Sunset.

Devastation.

In front of him, his home had crumbled. The clans had corrupted, the monsters had risen..Then, as it was all beginning to be sorted out..The forest was gone. Ripped away from them, by none other than Starclan itself. Or, at least, that was what he was sure had happened. He had no hate in his heart for the cats long passed. They must’ve had reason..Maybe, in their starry seats, they had seen the true filth of this world? Maybe this hardship, this death and heartbreak..Was all a grand plot to cleanse, and bring life anew?

Maybe it was. Maybe it wasn’t. Whichever one, Tunnelheart was not considered. What had been done, had been done..He would never see a world free of corruption. After all..He himself walked it. Hollow Lake was gone. For him and the clans, it would be gone forever. They couldn’t live here. No matter the memories, the love, the attachment.. They had to move on. He accepted this with an indifferent snort, uncurling his body and rising. It was an awkward sight; while many cats pushed up with their back legs to stand, he did the opposite; thrusting his hind in the air, and using his front legs to muscle him the rest of the way. His hind legs would always be weak.. He realized this, long ago, when the wounds had healed. He wouldn’t let that stop him.

“Heh, heh..” He was a mess, wasn’t he? Back legs weak, body scarred, one..Non-eye forever sealed shut. So sad! So pathetic and sad! Yeah, right. He was no more pathetic and sad than anyone else.. Some were just that way.. On the inside. He showed his scars; his inside was clean. Strong. Stronger than.. All. Up, watching. The sun had been high, but now it was dying..Washing the barren land with a red and orange light. A warming one, or one which showed warning and danger..? No one had the right to guess; he would not attempt it. They would be moving from here, soon. Across the mountains, most likely, toward a new home. If there even was one out there. Would they make it? Would there be death and devastation..? Answers would come, in good time. The light faded, and the stars began to shine.

“Set, bloody sun. Tomorrow, I will rise..and the weak will remain in the darkness.”

[Wargrace]

Honeyflower

Oh, the tragedy.

So many lives, ripped away -- kits, elders, even strong warriors. All gone. So many gone. It was a heartwrenching thing. Lives lost in an abrupt, unforseen twist of fate. There hadn't even been a prophecy to warn. Why? Had Starclan forsaken them for some unknown reason? Oh, how the ex-medicine cat wished she knew. But Starclan didn't talk to her all that much anymore. She still held her firm attachment to them, but they definitely didn't share tongues with her as they once had. But.. she had caused that, hadn't she? Breaking the laws of her rank, then stepping down from it. It wasn't anything she could've ever predicted, no more than the earthquake had been. Falling in love, having kits, loosing kits, resigning from Medicine Cat, training to be a warrior. Honeyflower. A warrior. Certaintly a bizarre thought, wasn't it..? She hadn't become a Meddie because of a lack of warrior-potential, however; but because of a preference for peace and helping others. But.. love had taken priority.

Where was Tunnelheart?

The dainty orange tabby moved quietly, ears perking as she searched the ground for the scent, pink nose twitching a bit. The scent was found in a moment; still fresh. Was he alright? There was no scent of blood, so presumably, yes. Off the little cat went, sending a last glance around the makeshift camp. Strange, seeing all the clans unified in one place, cooperative and tolerant of one another. Some even seemed to be making new friends. Perhaps this marked a more peaceful future for the forest -- or rather, whatever new home they found? Yes, hopefully. One could only pray to the Stars it wasn't just the beginning of another tragedy. Focused, the honey-ginger she-cat paid no further mind to the camp, abandoning the main area and starting off in search of the warrior. Away from the camp a ways, and to a hill, it led her. A hill that seemed likely to overlook some area of destruction or another.

With only a brief hesitation, the sleek cat was off, trekking her way light-footedly up the side of the hill, slowing a bit as she neared the top, then pausing altogether. Was he there? Yes, a short ways off. What was he doing, exactly? Looking at the sky? Head tilted, she gave a slight greeting-purr. "Tunnelheart..?" Was he alright..? She didn't ask, just yet; she'd wait to be acknowledged first. As to not.. startle him or anything. Quiet, the small warrior sat, tail coiling over her white paws. Waiting for a reaction and watching the warrior. What was he thinking about...?

[Iva]

Before his very eyes, the sun slipped halfway below the horizon, keeping the sky bloody bright but somehow still letting the shadows take flight, and the darkness creep in. The sight gained no reaction from Tunnel. He might’ve been grinning already, for that seemed to be what he was doing now- but it was not a reaction to the sight.

“In the mornings to come, truth would take flight. For now, it would be as dark in the day, as the night.” He snorted a bit, and bent his right paw up to lick. Unannounced to him, Honeyflower had come. As soon as he heard her meow, and bend his head around to look, the grin..Or lack of expression.. Broke. Instantly, whatever strange creature that he had been seemed to melt away, exposing something of fondness and warmth. He moved from his place, and took a few steps near the honey-ginger she-cat, purring all the way. “Honey, how are you~?” His own greeting, of sorts. Had she noticed his earlier..Oddness? He wouldn’t have cared much if she did, really..Unless it upset her. Then he, too, would be upset. Did he notice a change in himself..?

No, he couldn’t. Memories of kithood and apprenticeship where view as weakness and foolishness. He used to be so.. What was the word? Caring? No. Weak. Used. He hadn’t even been one of those loved used; just a commodity, barely a cat. Now, though..Now he was strong, no matter what happened to his body.

[Wargrace]

Darkness; the sun was fading, fading -- gone.

What was Tunnelheart saying? She listened, ears perked forward, but made no comment. No negative reaction. His words were strange, but not negatively so. They were Tunnelheart -- atleast since the dog. He'd changed. Changed quite a bit. But his heart was still gold, if a bit barbed on the outside. The dog. Thinking of it made her ears flick backwards with a slight shudder. That had been a cruel, cruel day. A simple trip to train.. turned into a bloodbath spawned by clashing jaws. She wouldn't have survived without the warrior.

He'd acknowledged her, now; and Honeyflower perked again, purr rippling at his approach and greeting. "I'm alright, are you~?" Up from her sit, the slender orange cat moved herself forward to meet the warrior and brush against him affectionately, if let, purr increasing. "You shouldn't be out here alone, you know." Strong warrior or not, times were difficult, now. What would she do if something happened to him..? It would be shattering. The small warrior moved to settle herself next to him, trying to cuddle into his side and give his darker tabbied pelt a few licks. "I was worried about where you went off to." Always worried, wasn't she? Not horribly so, but she did always have concern for loved ones and just.. everyone in general. It hadn't faded with her rank change.

[shadowfire]

What was happening to him?

Shadowfire picked himself up from the shadows and slowly crept out into the open where the sun soon would set the whole way and the moon would brighten. The sun had always.. had always left him a little nervous in his rogue days. Always watching. Always waiting for some other cat to come and fight him to the the death for a morsel of food her had luckily found. But the moon brought a new light to him. His eyes shone and he felt the excited jitters. With the night, he was able to creep out of sight. To hide if in trouble. To hunt the animals sleeping. It was all to easy in the night time. Some cats found his thinking different. Weird in fact. But, all in all, he hadnt been a clan cat for 2 years. That was bound to change him. Considering he had left as a kitten gave him even more proof he had no knowledge of how to act like a clan cat either. He just did what he did. Sometimes at random moments, trying to act like the nobel leaders. Or old noble leaders like Finchstar.

His eyes narrowed at the little light the sun still had and he crawled completely out of the shadows, telling himself no one was waiting for him to make the wrong move and then pounce. He walked up to the 2 cats and settled down. Not knowing their names. They had never talked. And he bet all the mouse tails he had ever eaten that they had never seen him before he had come back.

Maybe is was time to make nice with the other clan cats.

[Iva]

Previously strange, quiet, maybe even disturbing..The tom changed visibly with his mate around, purring loud enough to alert the entire forest when licked. Alright, maybe not..That loud, but his purr had not changed. He used to purr a lot when he was a kit- now it happened for one reason, and one reason only..Honeyflower. The same old, golden purr. He stopped it only to speak; mouth turned a bit, as if grinning. “Just came to see the sunset. I wasn’t planning on staying out long.” Because..That would mean leaving Honey for long, and his nerves just wouldn’t take it. Nasty, antisocial, uncaring? Yes, maybe he was those things..But he was also a worrywart. What if she stepped on a twig and hurt herself? How guilty he would feel about that!

Yes. He really would. Flick-flick. He let it slash behind him briefly, and pat against Honey; a reassuring pat of sorts. What now..? Well, the sun was down..Presumably, it was best to come back to camp. Mingle with the..Others. Ick. It was safer, though. Oh..What was this? Off Tunnelheart zoned; bright purple eyes flashing from Honey to the newcomer, turning from loving to dead neutral in an amazingly short time. Who was this now..? He didn’t know. His tail slashed again; not to pat Honey, but to..Just do so. Aggressively, to a point. He stemmed it quickly; letting a bit of his now-raised fur flatten. Now, he didn’t know this cat. There was no reason to get instantly bad toward them. There also wasn’t a reason to greet them, or give them names. Hehheh. Friendly, right..? He didn’t mean to be unfriendly, really.. He just knew some cats were..Not the type he liked to be around.

[Wargrace]

"Ah," A light reply to the words, giving some level of response, though she really had nothing in-depth to say. He'd went off to watch the sunset, not for too long. Understandable. She focused on the purring for a moment. Loud, soothing purring. She could listen to his purr for hours; it offered comfort. So much comfort. Reminded her of good moments; like when she'd told him she was expecting. That was moons and moons ago now, but the memory was still a warm, comforting one. It brought a sort of ease to her. Reassurance. Then, Tunnelheart's personality took a shift. Less pleasant, more.. aggressive, fading to a harsh neutrality.

Turquoise eyes reopened, the slender she-cat caught sight of the reason. A dark, unfamiliar, but clan-scented tom. Settling near. Friendly or no? He didn't seem particularly hostile. Thus, it was Honeyflower's turn to reassure; ringed tail moving to try to curl around the darker warrior's as the ex-medicine cat gave a welcoming blink to the stranger. No, she was by no means unfriendly -- she'd been friendly to all, clanmate or otherwise, even as an apprentice. There was little reason for hostility now, when times were harsh for all. Ears pricked, the honey-ginger cat gave a nod of greeting. "Hello there~" Then a glance to Tunnelheart. Was he still on-edge seeming? Hopefully he wouldn't remain that way, if so. No need to make enemies. Unless the cat proved to, well, be an enemy to begin with. Thus far, the unnamed cat had done no such, just approached without any comment.

Honeyflower wasn't one to judge without reason; so, she fell quiet for now, bright stare settled on the unknown warrior, still pressing herself close to Tunnelheart.

[shadowfire]

Narrowed orange eyes scanned the two cats. They appeared to be mates by the look of their fondness and closeness.
He shivered at the darkening sky and couldnt feel but a pain of envy. He could have something like that with Sparrowfeather. But he saw the way she looked at Wolfstep. She would never want him. Besides...He had a daughter. She wouldn't want to get involved with the family drama.
His eyes scanned the cats yet again. Questioning himself. What had compelled him to come forward to these cats. To try to lay down the burden, he carried everyday, onto their shoulders. "Im Shadowfire." he said simply, his muscles rippling under his coat. He watched the tom cat. Waiting for his next move. Their was no reason to be wary of him. Or his friendly mate. But still, he had learned by himself that appearances could deceive. What was wrong with him? Why did he seek attention so bad-no. Crave attention. Why?
"You probably dont know me." he meowed easily. "I tend to stay by the Marshclanners. I can be a bit shy." he admitted. He sat down then, making it clear he wouldn't leave without their names. "What clan are you 2 from? Brookclan?" he questioned lightly. But secretly he was killing to know.

[Iva]

Honey’s reasurances only slightly edited his stance. Tunnelheart remained was neutral as he was, and that edge on it would not be lost so quickly. Who was this cat..? It wasn’t like him to care much about who was who and who wasn’t, but this cat was here, now, so they demanded his attention. His sharp eyed, sharp toothed attention. Though, his teeth remained where they belonged, for now- in his mouth. His tail slashed again. Not so much in irritation this time, or to console Honey, but to just make sure she was still there. Not that he couldn’t just tilt his head a little to look at her or anything, just that he was currently using it to stare down Shadowfire.

“Tunnelheart.” Honey had introduced herself already..As friendly as ever, he noted. Honeyflower..She had such a large heart. Always friendly, always loving. He would protect her from even the slightest tick of conversation with tooth and claw. Shadowfire, shadowfire.. Had he heard of this cat before? Had he seen this cat before? No. Nevertheless, the dark tabby felt an almost eerie sense of familiarity. Bad familiarity. He kneeded his paw into the ground; once, and peered off into the black abyss. Then, he was back, watching Shadowfire with a glance that might’ve been a bit too..Watchful. “We are from Stormclan.” Pause. "And, no, I don't believe we know you."

[shadowfire]

Understanding showed in his orange eyes. "I am of no threat." He stated carefully watching the tom through clear, open eyes. He seems rather protective of his mate. Too protective. Weren't all the cats from the clans suppose to behave good to each other? Obviously some had not gotten over the clan boundaries that had for a while been toppled over.
He got up and stretched. "Im just curious." he meowed easily. "Im rather board everyday. And I'd rather not talk to my old...friends." he's hesitated. "You see, I ran away as a kitten. And-" he stopped. "Have you heard of a rogue named Harley? She trained me to be...vicious and horrible to cats. To kill on sight." he shivered. "I left after the downfall of her and met another group of cats. I left and lived alone. In till I had a kitten with a she cat named Blossom. When Blossom left, I was forced to raise a child on my own." Hurt shown in his eyes. "After the earthquake...It wasnt safe in the forest anymore. We left and found the clans now one. I joined with my daughter, Lilystem." He found himself pouring his story out to these two strangers. He couldn't help it. He had kept it in for 3 years. 3 years of torture. And he could not bring himself to spill it to his old friends. And is love. His love who loved another. He had kept it in all this time. And had finally broke. He found himself being warmed inside. These were just two strangers who didnt care. But it felt good to have it out...

[Wargrace]

Shadowfire of Marshclan. She nodded a bit in acknowledgement of his introduction, quiet a moment; settling into a sit, ringed tail curling carefully over her paws, head tilted a bit. Tunnelheart was still hostile-seeming. She paid it little mind; he was good at heart. If a bit protective. He had been, since the dog. The dog had changed everything. For the better...? Yes, mostly. Except for the tom's scars and missing eye. That was not for the better. It pained her to see. He'd only been trying to help her; teach a medicine cat to defend herself.. the dog had just been an unexpected twist of events. Blinking her turquoise eyes, the small she-cat sent the thoughts away, shifting her weight slightly to lean against her mate a bit.

"Honeyflower, of Stormclan." The ex-meddie gave the introduction with the same friendly tone, purr tinging her words. Really, the dark cat showed no signs of aggression or threatening. She saw no reason for hostility until reason was given by the other party. Listening, then -- to the short story given by the Marshclan warrior. Harly. A rogue. Her pale fur bristled a bit at this. The rogue, no doubt, she'd seen Frecklegaze and Venomstrike talking to all those moons ago. Weaselstar hadn't believed her. What reason would the overall loving Medicine Cat have had to lie about it..? None. "Yes.. heard of her." A slight.. chill to her friendly tone. Not at the warrior; but at the mention of the rogue. That was moons ago. Many moons ago.. what.. atleast thirty-six moons ago? When she had just become the medicine cat, twelve moons or so old. Frecklegaze.. wasn't disloyal now. Not as far as the warrior could see, atleast.

"Welcome back to the clans, then, Shadowfire. I'm glad you've left the path Harly led you onto. She could've torn the clans apart from the inside.. do you know.. if she's still alive? I really don't wish death on many.. but I would rather her not still be wandering the lands, corrupting.." Ears flicking back, Honeyflower shifted her attention to the stars. They didn't speak to her so much anymore, the ancestors. Had she disappointed them..? No sense dwelling on it. Focus back on the two warriors, she glanced towards Tunnelheart. What was his opinion on the situation..? Would the story spike or lessen his protectiveness?

[shadowfire]

He hesitated. It was relaxing to know she knew about Harley too. But....was she alive? His ears flattened at the thought of her and his back fur became even spikier. He thought hard, trying to recall his last memory of her. "I..I think I spotted her a year back." he stopped. "But I think she left...." Relief swept over him as he tried to convince himself she was gone. He would never see her again, thank starclan. But one could only hope....

[Iva]

Tunnel was, just as before, silent.. Hawkish. Watching sharply. With one eye, he seemed to see twice as much as he did when he had two. Maybe that was just the..edge, on it. Things were so much clearer, now. All the time as a kit he had spent doing nothing but thinking. Thinking of stupid things. Being useless. That time..Was over. Now, he would really see. He growled a bit at as he listened to Shadowfire’s story. That was his first and only interruption until the story was through. Information, information; he absorbed with a sponge, and piled it away in his mind to be stored forever. Why? Talk of rogues, of returning..

He did not want an ex-rogue walking the same grass as his lovely Honeyflower. He had witnessed the disgrace of Venomstrike with his own eyes, and been told of many things. Frecklegaze..Even his old friend was nothing but disgust to him now. Disloyalty. There was no room in his tainted heart for such hateful cats. None-the-less, he remained quiet until the others where over; quiet, and still. Not even his expression had changed. Well, until the talking had stopped. Then, and only then..his mouth warped into some type of grin.

A..Not-quite sane one, if any other cat was to describe it. He figured it perfectly sane, though..And, finally, he spoke. His voice matched the grin in only one way; it was off. Without emotion, despite the obvious emotion that it should’ve been holding. “So, you’re a traitor? As a kitten, or now..Does it really matter?” This was not a rhetorical question. In this statement, he was giving Shadowfire a chance to fight back; to prove him wrong. Why this chance? Maybe a bit of his good heart was fighting desperately to get free, and to give Shadow a chance. More likely, it had been the bright tabby she-cat who had unintentionally shifted his views.

[shadowfire]

Shock pierced Shadowfire and he took a step back. His pupils small at the words from Tunnel. Understanding swept in though. He could not back down. It would make him look weak and put a disgrace over Marshclan. He could NOT back down.
Shadowfire took a step forward. "I never betrayed my clan. Not once." His eyes narrowed and fury over took him. Who was he to say he was disloyal! "Halrey lured me out! She tricked me as a kitten!" he hissed. "Once I realized she had tricked me I left. I was doing what I thought best for my clan and did not come back! Because I only thought it would bring pain to the one's I care about. And when I did come back-everything was different. EVERYTHING. And then, your sitting here telling ME I am a traitor." he hissed. "You have no right. For all I know you ran away too!" he snapped.

[Wargrace]

Quiet. The light ginger tabby was quiet for the moment, listening as the Marshclanner explained that he had seen Harley awhile back.. but believed her to be gone, now. That was a relief. Hopefully.. the corrupting rogue had left. Went far, far away and would never return to the clans to taint the minds of kits and warriors alike. She had no more comment to make. It was Tunnelheart's turn. Unfortunately, his comment.. was far from supportive. On the contrary, it was something likely to provoke anger. Calling the dark tom a traitor. Even though.. he had just been a kit. How young of a kit? If he had been nearly an apprentice.. that was one thing; but if he had just been a young kit.. that was another thing altogether. Still quiet. Making no comment, but straightening herself a bit. Not leaning so much on Tunnelheart. Observing.

As expected, Shadowfire didn't seem too amused. He hissed a snippy protest to the accusation. Would the two get into an arguement? Or worse, outright fight..? She glanced skyward. Silent. No, no fighting. No arguing. She had never been fond of conflict. "Shadowfire, please calm down. Tunnelheart, you know a kit doesn't know better. We all learn with age. A kit hasn't had time to learn what it is to be a traitor. They're young, naive. I'm sure Shadowfire wouldn't repeat his kithood mistakes anymore than either of us would, and even if he is a traitor, it's not our place to accuse him. He's not in Stormclan." Soft words. In hopes of keeping the peace. It was the job of a medicine cat, wasn't it? Keeping peace when possible? She was a medicine cat at heart, still. Warrior or not. Weight shifted again, the honey-ginger cat tilted herself a bit to try rubbing her head on Tunnelheart's shoulder.