Please Understand (Splash/Open)

[kiba]

Adderclaw sat at the edge of the territory. He was hiding in a bush. He had been there for days and he had seen no sign of Crescentheart or any of his kits. Just other cats. He had seen his cousins and their mates, as well as other cats on patrol. He wasn't waiting for his ex mate or his kits, though. He was waiting for the Midnightclan leader.

He blinked, waiting carefully. He knew the times they sent out patrols so he was always ready, hiding in the bush, when they would come by. Any other time he would sleep, train with a friendly loner whom lived near by, or hunt. His dark red fur was smooth against his muscular body. His green eyes wide with determination and worry.

He had to get back into Midnightclan. He just had to. He would show Crescentheart and his kits that they were wrong. He wasn't sure how, yet. but the first step was to get closer to them.

[Splash]

Flamestar slid easily along the border, not as focused as she ought to be. She was content, allowing her mind to be clear if only for a little. Before she had to go back.

[kiba]

Adderclaw's ears perked as he saw a young she-cat. He narrowed his eyes a bit and realized she had a leader aura around her. He poked his head out of the bush. "Are you Flamestar? If so, I need to speak to you," he replied, exiting the bush slowly. He was still on the outside of the Midnightclan territory.

[Splash]

Flamestar bristled, not recognizing the voice at first, but, after seeing the cat, recognized Addercalw. Calming down, she curled a tail around her paws, licking one of them. "I would advise against crossing that border, or I might just have to chase you out. It's never good to disobey one's own orders." She meowed in a rather conversational tone. "And yes, I am Flamestar. And, I am quite curious, so if you wish to speak with me, I expect some answers to the questions your former mate asked."

[kiba]

Adderclaw looked at the border. He bowed his head towards her. "I didn't plan on crossing the border, ma'am. And I can't answer it fully. Midnightstar trusted me and so does Shadowstep, Lightningwind, and Thunderblaze. Please, I am not a traitor to Midnightclan. If anything.... if anything, I'm trying to save it," he replied, sitting on his side of the border. He looked around and then shook his head.

"Flamestar, I want to rejoin Midnightclan. I honestly do," he added, his green eyes staring into her eyes. They were truthful. He hoped she could see that.

[Splash]

Flamestar did see truth. but she still frowned, shaking her head. "If what you are doing is helping save this clan, then our goals are one in the same. Give me a good reason why you can't tell me what, exactly, you did or are doing."

[kiba]

"My family will die," Adderclaw stated. He looked around, ears perking. He tasted the air before turning back towards the young leader. "I will always put my family first. And my clan is my family," he replied, his voice so low that it was near a whisper.

[Midnight]

"He speaks nonsense." Crescentheart mewed. She slid out of the undergrowth she was hiding behind, after having scented Adderclaw. When she noticed Flamestar go by and the two started talking, the warrior became furious, and she couldn't handle it anymore. "Don't trust that liar, Flamestar!"

[Splash]

Flamestar only nodded to acknowledge Crescentheart. "So your family will be killed if anyone in this clan knows of some sort of danger that at this point may or may not be real? I agree with Crescentheart on this one. Leave. Come back when you're willing to trust your clanmates. And your family." She meowed. "I respected you once upon a time. but if there's a danger that a single cat will die, then I have know. If there's nothing you will say, then leave. I can trust Crescentheart and most of the cats in this clan. I can no longer trust you." Nodding to Crescentheart, Flamestar took a few steps back from the border.

(Ow, Flame. You can be a real jerk when you want to. *pokes* Curiosity killed the cat. Flame: Stupidity killed the cat. Curiosity was framed.)

[kiba]

Adderclaw's fur bristled as he looked at Crescentheart. He then looked back at Flamestar. "You two are acting like I've killed a cat. Like I killed someone of the clan. You can trust me. If I was an enemy, I could have easily attacked Lionpaw and Crescentheart in the forest a few days ago. I could have easily gone to Stormclan and have them attack you. but I didn't. Get the ants out of both of your pelts and look at who you're talking to," he said. He looked at them both.

Shadowstep padded forward from the bushes. "You two should listen to him," he replied. The large black tom was one of the most respected cats in the camp. He knew that neither of them would insult him. Well, he knew that Flamestar wouldn't. Crescentheart in this state was unpredictable. "If I have to, I will keep my eye on him. If anything, bring him back as a prisoner," he replied. He saw Adderclaw's fur bristle again, but he ignored it.

[Splash]

Flamestar sighed. "Shadowpelt, I used to trust him, just like I trust you. Let's just say you can't smell or see betrayal until it hits you in the face. Who can say that they know for sure that Adderclaw is the same cat he was? Having secrets is fine. It's called privacy. Having secrets that threaten this clan? That's called crime. Everyone here - Crescentheart, you, and I - we're loyal. Crescentheart used to be his mate, and you I would lay down our lives for this clan without a second of hesitation. And he won't tell us something that he believes is of extreme importance. Doesn't that say something? We could help. There's nothing that would make keeping a secret from us harmful to MidnightClan and yet he tells us nothing. That's enough to tell me that the safety of this clan is not the first thing Adderclaw is worried about." Flamestar meowed, looking at Adderclaw with hostility.

(Well, Flame, you make better points then I.)