Blood Follows Blood

-Backstory: SilverClan-

"Silverstar! Silverstar!"

The great silver tom raised his head, hesitating for just a moment before standing and leaving the leader's den. What could possibly have gone wrong now? Despite the dread weighing his paws, he dragged them forward. "Yes, Ratnose? What is it?"

The skinny black tom looked wilder than usual, his dark eyes practically rolling in his head. "It's Shinepool! They attacked Shinepool!"

"StarClan help us." Silverstar leapt down from his perch and bolted to the entrance of camp where Smokehaze and the deputy Emberstone were carrying in the limp body of Shinepool. "Emberstone!" The tom turned his handsome head, amber eyes regarding his leader and mate with a deep, aching sadness. "Did they really attack our medicine cat? On purpose?"

"They did." For once, Emberstone's deep mew did nothing to soothe Silverstar's frantic nerves. If LightClan was truly willing to risk the wrath of StarClan themselves by attacking a medicine cat then what chance did SilverClan have? Already they had lost warriors and apprentices, were they expected to lose this important cat as well?

But when the two warriors lowered Shinepool to the ground, he stood up shakily on his own paws. His dark fur was matted in blood along his shoulders and patches of fur were missing in his haunches, but he didn't look fatally wounded. "I need... To treat myself." The tom started to limp towards his den, tail hanging limply. "Make sure no cat gets too badly hurt until I'm better, alright Sliver?"

"Of course..." Silverstar sat back on his haunches, staring at his paws as Emberstone sat close at his side.

"We will beat them. Have no doubt of that." The massive tom flexed his claws, anger clear on his normally impassive face. "They will pay for attacking our family."

Silverstar nodded. He was right. Of course he was right. He was leader. He could not afford to give up. Who would lead his brave warriors then? "Where is the hunting patrol I sent out?"

"They were far from the border. They wouldn't have been attacked. They should be back any minute now."

"Very well. Send out another. We'll all need to keep our strength up until Shine-"

"Silverstar!"

What now?

Silverstar turned as the hunting patrol he'd just inquired about entered camp, Frozenriver at the head. The she-cat was followed by the apprentices, Whitepaw and Brownpaw as well as- Now who was that? They had the scent of some cat who was not Clan. "Frozenriver, what is the meaning of this? Who is this cat?"

"Someone who wants to be a part of SilverClan." The headstrong she-cat's green eyes were glimmering in defiance, something Silverstar had grown to both dread and appreciate. Her white fur ruffled up slightly as she apparently foresaw his argument. "No way, Silverstar. We need more warriors. You know that as good as anyone. We've lost too many and we'll lose what we have left if we don't bring in others to help us hold on." Her expression softened a bit and she blinked warmly. "Please? Just consider it?"

"StarClan! Fine!" Silverstar shook his head at the energetic cat. "I'll think about it. For now, keep them well guarded."

"Yes! Thank you, Silverstar! You won't regret this! Come on!" She led you away and Silverstar watched you both.

"Allow them in."

Silverstar looked at Emberstone in surprise. "Just like that?"

He shrugged. "Why not? Give them a chance to prove their loyalty." Amusement shone in the liquid depths of his eyes. "Even if it'll make Frozenriver all the more insufferable."

"All right, if you're both going to push. I'll announce it shortly. Though, they will be closely watched!"

"Of course, of course..."

And so, you joined the ranks of SilverClan to protect what has always been.