I: Ousted

It was a clear night. The late night sky was devoid of clouds, allowing for the moon's brilliant light shine from overhead. The crickets chirped with the fireflies lighting up and slowly disappearing in the dark in the field they stopped by. For any cat, this type of night would and could be described with two words: Beautiful and tranquil.

Given the circumstance that the black and white tom found himself in, it was anything other than beautiful and tranquil, for him and his clan longed to be back in the home they had been beaten out of.

"Tallstar!" A lean black tom called out to the Windclan leader. "I think that Onewhisker and I may have spotted a place to rest."

The black and white tom turned to his clan, most resting from the long walk already made past the High Stones."Windclan, Deadfoot and Onewhisker have found shelter." His tail beckoned for his clan to get up. Grunts of protest were heard, but every cat shortly began to follow their leader.

Compared to the distance already made from Windclan camp. this was nothing more than a few pawsteps, but to the battered and defeated clan, it might as well have been a trip to Starclan and back.

Still, it wasn't too long until they reached where Deadfoot and Onewhisker had mentioned. It was a hazy tunnel, getting darker the further he tried to look in.

"Its easily defendable, and it keeps the elements off of our tails." Deadfoot traced the tunnel with his crippled paw. "Twolegs and the Thunderpath monsters wouldn't be able to get us here."

"It's perfect." Tallstar looked at the tunnel. "Safer than our camp at the moment." Tallstar saw to his clan settling into the tunnel. "Deadfoot, Onewhisker, I know that is has been a long and seemingly unending night, and I would hate to ask for more."

"Tell us and it'll get done." Onewhisker's tail raised with a sense of optimism.

"Well, It would be greatly appreciated if the two of you went hunting for anything to eat, even rats if possible."

"We'll do our best Tallstar." Deadfoot dipped his head to his old mentor.

"Rats?' A feminine voice piped up as the two warriors stalked off. "Rats are no better than crowfood!"

"Really now?" A tortoiseshell with pale brown fur, hobbling forward nearby, her leg with a leaf acting as a dressing for her wound. "Rats might not be the biggest and most delicious hare, but we are in no position to chose!"

Tallstar positioned himself between the bickering she-cats, clearly seeing their pelts ruffling as they growled at each other with their disputes.

"Ashfoot, Thrushwing, I know it has been a long night, and the last thing Windclan needs is more strife among ourselves," Tallstar paused as the two of them seemed to slowly calm down, giving a slight smile as the hostilities faded away, "Tomorrow is another day, please try to rest."

Ashfoot lashed her tail as she walked away, and Thurshwing slowly limped back to where the other warriors had settled themselves.

Looking towards where the two warriors had gone, he sighed."I hoped I haven't sent them to their deaths." Tallstar shook his head, standing near the exit of the tunnel. "Will we ever able to return home, or will the other clans just turn a blind eye to this act of barbarity to not just Windclan, but the Warrior Code itself?" He looked up at the sky, noticing the clarity of how the moon looked, along with the stars shimmering above in silver pelt. "I remember nights like these." He closed his eyes as a smile grew across his face, reminiscing about his youth.

It has been many seasons since my return to Windclan since I returned to my family, my home. He opened his eyes, focusing on the moon. I miss Jake. His thoughts went silent as he thought of the tom who had saved his pelt many times. Does he miss me as much as I miss him? Has he moved on? He continued to stare at the moon, thinking of his past. Last gathering, there was that one cat from Thunderclan... I almost mistook him for Jake... I am certain that he is Jake's son, after all, he is a spot on reflection of his father, and if that tom is half of who Jake is, he'll be the leader of Thunderclan.

"Tallstar." A soft voice interrupted his thoughts. It was Barkface, the medicine cat that Tallstar grew up with. "I have something important to tell you."

"Proceed." He nodded his head, still focused on the moon above.

"I don't think we can travel any further, for now, Morningflower could start kitting any day now." Barkface also looked back to the clan. "Without the proper herbs, sickness could ravage us."

"Could you find any herbs?" Tallstar now turned his attention to his old friend, concern lacing his voice.

"Maybe, I might have to take the apprentices with me."

"I'll allow it." Tallstar carefully responded. "Just make sure you have some cat watching over Morningflower before you search."

"I'm sure I'll have some cat available," Barkface assured, looking at the leader.

"Get some rest Barkface, it's going to be a long day ahead of you."

"You need rest Tallstar." The medicine cat nudged him. "You might have more lives than me, but you're not invincible."

"Some cat has to stand guard, besides, I have a feeling it's going to be a quiet night."

"Hopefully you're right." Barkface yawned now, his short tail extending with his yawn. "Goodnight Tallstar." The brown tom dipped his head, walking away afterward.

Tallstar simply vocalized an 'mhm', for his mind was now focused on other matters. If we are halted, so be it. He sighed now, fixing his gaze on the path back to where they pasted the High Stones. Again, Tallstar sat in silence, pondering the uncertainty of his clans future, and the events that had already past. I have to keep this clan together, no matter the cost, it would be what Heatherstar would want, it would be what Shrewclaw would want. His heart ached as he thought about the cats who couldn't be here today, yet he was conflicted about if they would be happy to be put under such circumstance. I remember all the countless instances where he had teased, the sorrow he felt when he thought he was the cause of my departure, how he died right before my eyes… He looked down now, sadness clutching at his chest, remembering how the blood of his childhood rival pooled right before him, from wounds inflicted by a Shadowclan battle patrol. The cruelty of Shadowclan never seems to come to a halt. He turned back, to see most of his clan sleeping, his eyes focused on Thurshwing. A sister torn away from her brother because of the unforgiving wrath of Shadowclan. He exhaled quietly, with frustration. I only hope for the sake of our clan that those Shadowclan monsters are not pursuing us, and if they are, they will catch up. The black and white tom grit his teeth with uncertainty and worry. I'll die five times over than let more of my warriors die by the claws of Shadowclan. His claws now dug into the dirt beneath his paws. Brokenstar is a monster, misguiding his clan away from the path of Starclan, how could his ancestors let him believe he is doing the right thing so blindly?

Tallstar looked up to the stars now, silent as they glimmered, the moon having shifted a slight bit in the time passed. Hopefully we will be able to return back to the moor soon enough. The long-tailed black and white leader could only hope his ancestors would send a sign, no matter how big or small, anything to guide them during their hour of need. As he sat there, he could feel the breeze push up on him, coming from where they have walked from. It is the home of Windclan after all, for all those generations since the founding of Windclan, Starclan wouldn't just oust us away from the other clans... right?

Despite his thoughts, all the leader could do was hope for better.

Here is my new story, Ousted to the Winds, I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did, I wouldnt mind to hear what you thought of it!

Moonlight Talon