Antlers and Feathers {warriors fan-story}

Prologue

Mouseface's whiskers twitched nervously as the wind rippled across the moor, flattening the grass in waves that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon. The air was thick with the scent of rain, but there was something else, something that made the fur along his spine prickle.

The brown warrior padded along the border, standing close to his larger statured kin, Volewhisker, the WindClan deputy. Rather a childish and friendly soul, but loyal and organized non-the-less it was no question why Batstar had chosen him as her successor. But regardless, the uneasy feeling still bit at Mouseface's pelt like ticks. 

With his gaze flicking from side to side, he turned his face to the patrol. "Keep your eyes open, something feels off..." he murmured, glancing around at the wind-flattened grass, for a moment he thought he spotted movement, but then saw the ears of a rabbit point upward then leap away quickly. His tail flicked anxiously as his hazel eyes continued to glance around the moorland.

"Relax Mouseface" The soft hearted voice of Volewhisker brought Mouseface's attention towards the larger tom, it was then that the WindClan deputy continued. "You're always so on edge. We're on our own territory, whatever happens here won't be your fault" he added, though Mouseface didn't seem as convinced at Volewhisker was, continuing to look over the territory.

As the patrol walked, Mouseface saw another rustling in the undergrowth, a lot larger than a rabbit, even from the distance they were, he still saw that the movements were larger and more coordinated. Freezing in place, his claws digging into the ground and he gulped down a lump in his throat, his voice trembled as Mouseface hitched his breath. "W-Who goes there?" he murmured, the fur along his spine bristling.

A towering red she-cat noticed Mouseface's still, frightened stature and flared her nostrils in frustration. With a gruff gravelly voice, she spoke "Probably a rabbit. Calm down before you spook all the prey" Sunbear narrowed her eyes and stalked towards the rustling in the undergrowth, perhaps to get a better view, or catch the rabbit if that is was it was. 

It was when a ragged brown tabby body smoothly emerged from the grass when Sunbear let out a gravelly hiss. Volewhisker's ears perked and he diverted his direction towards the brown tabby, followed by Squirrelspots, one of Mouseface's clanmates.

Mouseface soon arrived at the side of Volewhisker. Sunbear unsheathed her claws into the dirt and seemed at if she was going to launch into an attack when the intruder spoke, smooth and calculated. "Easy now fox-breath, I'm not looking for a fight" The brown tabby dipped her head, her movements careful and deliberate. Mouseface watched as Volewhisker directed Sunbear to stand down with a flick of his tail... Oh how I wish I could command power like my bother, Mouseface thought to himself, but the thoughts were broken by Squirrelspots speaking.

 "You are on WindClan territory, explain yourself" Squirrelspots stood beside Sunbear, her tail flicking indignantly, though Squirrelspots looked the size of an apprentice compared to Sunbear, so if Sunbear remained, himself and Squirrelspots wouldn't be intimidating in the slightest. Mouseface took a step closer to the tabby, giving her a few cautious sniffs then stepped back, flattening his ears with hesitation.

With hesitation in his voice, Mouseface spoke "Y-You... you're from ThunderClan! Falconsnap right? What are you doing on WindClan territory?" Mouseface's fur remained bristled, though in his eyes, there was curiosity amidst the fear. Volewhisker stepped forward, flaring his nostrils "Yes, that's her. What is a ThunderClan cat doing here" he thrust his head forward, his tone accusatory and the long fur of his tail bristled.

Falconsnap's eyes softened as she lowered her head with a sigh, her ears being pulled back to her head. "I...I've been exiled, ThunderClan turned their back on me. I have nowhere else to go" Falconsnap's voiced wavered with vulnerability, but her calm demeanor didn't falter. Sunbear let out a growl but noticed Mouseface about to speak and allowed his words to settle in the air before hers. Mouseface gave Sunbear an appreciative nod before speaking "Exiled? Why? What did you do to warrant Hummingstar exiling you?" 

Mouseface's words did not rest in the air before Sunbear began her suspicious judgement on the brown tabby she-cat. "Seems rather convenient, why would we believe you?" she meowed, her voice low and skeptical. "If you're looking for sympathy, you won't find it here. Exile or not, you are still trespassing" Squirrelspots added, her tone, a sharp hiss.

Falconsnap stepped closer to Mouseface her amber eyes glazed with a sorrow that Mouseface couldn't seem to track the source of. "I was wrongfully accused. But I know WindClan is a noble clan. Perhaps... Batstar might offer me shelter until I can prove my innocence" Mouseface took notice of her tone, it was pleading but he failed to notice how her words seemed to be chosen and coordinated.

Before Mouseface could respond Volewhisker let out a small scoff "Noble or not, you are still trespassing. You expect us to bring you to our camp after you stroll into our territory like it is your own?" Volewhisker pursed his lips lightly, his fangs poking out of his upper lips. Volewhisker sighed then turned his gaze to Mouseface, his gaze softening. "Mouseface, you are leading this patrol, what do you think?"

Mouseface swallowed hard, the thick lump of anxiety in his throat moving to his belly, his tail twitched he then spoke, he sighed and lifted his ears and smiling a welcoming smile but his voice was still uncertain "I-I'd have to ask Batstar but-" Mouseface's voice began to trail off, glancing in the direction of the camp, he was torn... if he accepted Falconsnap and it turned out she was lying, the blame would be on him and himself alone, and if he left her our here, she could very well be left for dead.

A growl from Sunbear snapped Mouseface out of his thoughts "Ask our leader? Are you serious Mouseface? You can't trust her that easily can you?" she growled
"WindClan trusted you didn't they, last I recalled, you had been a ShadowClan cat, you are not better than me, you chose to leave your clan and leave your kits. If WindClan can accept you then they would have no trouble having me there" Falconsnap explained, the tip of her tail flicking

"I left on my own accord, ShadowClan is not my home. Let the past be the past Falconsnap" Sunbear hissed, narrowing her hazel eyes.

Falconsnap flicked her ear dismissively and spoke again, her tone was gentler and with a persuasive conviction "Surely the two of you would understand what it is like to be misunderstood" She meowed almost pleading with her voice, but Mouseface saw that Sunbear held no sympathy for the pleading warrior. But Falconsnap did not falter in her words, instead she continued to plea "To be desperate for a second chance, Mouseface. You and Sunbear should understand that out of all the cats here" Falconsnap's gaze bore onto Mouseface, her voice dripping with sympathy, whether it be fake or genuine.

Mouseface's ears flicked as he heard Squirrelspots approaching Sunbear, hearing the spotted ginger she-cat murmur something to her. "She's playing with him like a kit, we can't just let her walk in" he heard, seeing Squirrelspots observe Falconsnap closely and noticing Sunbear nod her head in agreement. Mouseface let out a short huff, glancing back at Falconsnap.

The brown pointed tom shuffled uncomfortably before gaining a sense of balance, the thoughts of guilt crept back into his thoughts and he gave a gentle nod to Falconsnap "I-I suppose... but I can't make you any promises" Mouseface's concern still remained, but it began to slowly crumble away at the weight of Falconsnap's words. Volewhisker nodded in response to Mouseface's words, giving his tail a flick "We'll take her to Batstar, but there is no promise of her being granted to stay. If she's lying, she will regret it" Volewhisker raised his tail, Sunbear and Squirrelspots the stood back, but the darker brown colorpoint tom's gaze remained fixed on Falconsnap.

Falconsnap smiled and dipped her head to Volewhisker and Mouseface "That is all I ask" she replied, following the patrol to stand beside Mouseface, holding his gaze softly. Mouseface trotted by her side, but her could have sworn he could hear Sunbear's grumble ahead...
"This is not going to end well... for any of us"