Lose your Guard, Lose your Life || Tagged!

[Carotius]

Tags: nomstar [Rivercloud & Ryepaw and maybe Tiger?] | Trickle [Degas] | Ambrose [Willowbranch] | Babylonranger [Nettletooth]
Optional to join owo: [Acro.]

OOC: Varuin is moving with his attacks on LeafClan. The names in red are those who are set to die. The rest are to be injured XD Most of the rogues are NPCs, so...have fun QwQ

---

It was time.

Varuin crouched along the boughs of the rare oak tree in this part of the territory, his tabby tail held so close to his body, it appeared as if he was hugging himself as a means of comfort. That was not him. At this very moment, the silver tabby was brimming with sick joy and bloodlust, ready to leap upon the ranks of LeafClanners who strolled among the birches here, all in the name of revenge for a wrong done to him many, many seasons ago. He was not alone in this attack, for as he turned around, a group of many strong-bodied pelts awaited his order, their colourful eyes gleaming maliciously, ready to tear down their enemies at the twitch of an ear.

The rogue had spent the past few moons waiting patiently for the right time to strike, since meeting the curly-furred she-cat who fell for his innocent disguise of a loner. Now, he can manipulate the entire situation to fit his vengeful desires, and he won't be doing it alone. Turning his head to look down onto the snowy ground below, he spotted the long-furred tom whose silver pelt gleamed in the white light of frost, the feathery tail swishing in anticipation; Varuin had picked him up for this attack a while ago, seeing the promising ability of the tom to fight when he was called to. A smile graced his features. Beware, LeafClan.

"I require only where you wish it to be placed."

Varuin tilted his head to the side, rolling his brown eyes towards the left until he caught sight of a dark pelt accented with white that seemingly blended into the snowy landscape around them. Golden-yellow eyes gazed back at him with wicked excitement, irises slitted like the deadly eyes of a hawk; those white-tipped ears were straight up earnestly, eager to listen for his missing command, while that grotesquely crooked jaw slid upwards in a nightmarish grin that would send a young kit running. Varuin liked it.

"You know exactly where," Varuin said smoothly, preparing to jump into the next tree. He fixed his brown gaze on the black tom, grinning, "Not all of them will return home."

The black tom was gone in the blink of an eye, leaving the silver rogue to watch the area beyond for movement of his enemies.

[Trickle]

The snow crunched under his paws, succumbing to his weight with no hesitation.  This had made it hard to push through, at first.  Sure, there was only an inch or two of snow on the ground, but it clung to the fur that grew long under his paws.  A complaint would not pass through his teeth, not now.  There was a vague urgency to keep silent.  The cats around him hardly spoke, only light puffs of fog would slip out of their noses and mouths as their breath collided with the bitter coldness of the surrounding air.  Degas was no exception.  His amber eyes slid up to the treeline where the cat that had invited him on this little quest resided.  

Perhaps 'little quest' wasn't the right thing to call it.  but, that is what Degas called it.  A little quest, a little hunt.  Calling this a hunt did put Degas at ease because that is what it had felt like.  The large tom had been creeping through the snowy landscape, stalking with these other cats as if they were following the scent of prey.  Of course, this 'prey' that they were on the hunt for were actually cats.  He was conflicted, but he was also angry.  Degas was hungry and the clan had been snatching up all the prey before he could even find a sliver of a mouse tail.  Being a rogue, he dared not cross the border, at least not alone.  For he knew of the aggression he could be met with.  Greedy cats. There are others that are hungry too.   His hooked claws slid out of their sheaths, but refused to sink in to the frozen ground.  

Degas's tail lashed and he bit back a growl.  The more he thought about it, the more hungry he felt.  The more hungry he felt, the more his anger grew.  It squandered his usual, more moral, thoughts.  The string of thoughts, however, were broken as he noticed the sudden movement of that tom with the unsightly crooked jaw.  Hmmm... Degas only allowed himself to watch the other tom for a brief moment before looking back to the vast expanse of territory before him.  Slowly, he crept forward as far as he dared to a dry bush and suddenly went still, as if he were apart of the bush itself.   From here he would wait for the enemy.  

[Ambrose]

The air was glacial, the leaves (or what remained of them) frosty, the forest emptied of prey. Endless patrol after patrol had failed to bring back anything more than what was sufficient for the elders and kits. Ribs protruded from many cats' abdomens, a sickly representation of the lack of prey. Perhaps another reason for that was the onslaught of greencough, ravaging LeafClan, and the other clans undoubtedly. Willowbranch shivered at the thought of her Clan so weak like this. What if there was to be a battle?
-
Willowbranch, skinny but not sick anymore, lead her hunting patrol through the forest, if one could call it that anymore. What it really was were tall, stubborn boughs that refused to fall to the tyranny of leafbare, and Willowbranch admired that. Even her Clan name admired trees; how could she not? Willowbranch looked the trees up and down. "They're really taking a beating," she commented to her patrol, "but, like us, they will prevail. The trees do this all the time." Willowbranch found her paw get stuck in snow as she met a dip in the ground, jumping to release her paw. It was hard, being as small as her. 

One squirrel, measly and emaciated was caught by the patrol, buried in the snow to bring home later near to a large oak. Willowbranch tasted the air to try and locate prey, but instead she smelled other cats. No, not LeafClan cats, who she recognized as smelling musty, like autumn leaves, but rogues. I know of only two rogues, and the trouble I've had with them.. Her mind raced with fear and panic as she hid behind a tree, flicking her tail to tell the rest of the patrol to halt. Peering out from behind the tree, she noticed a group of rogues placing something, though she could not see what. She searched the trees above her, too, as she had been taught as an apprentice.

And she saw the silver fur and bulky figure of him. Of Varuin. 

"Unsheathe your claws, and prepare to fight.. it's Varuin." she whispered, loud enough for her patrol to hear. Willowbranch swallowed her fear and stepped out into the clearing.
"May I ask what you are doing? This is LeafClan territory."

[Babylonranger]

A silvery gray tom rolled his amber eyes behind Willowbranch's back. Trees were useful yes, but Nettletooth saw no need to comment on them, not unless there was an imminent danger of one falling on top of him. Or another Leafclanner, he supposed. but the small she-cat was deputy, so the muscled tom put up with her and her trite observations.

The scent of unfamiliar cats made his short, tabby-patterned fur bristle and he looked around at the others in the patrol. Apprentices and only three warriors, counting him. And Willowbranch's words only served to make him more wary. This 'Varuin' rogue had been unfortunately clever (or lucky) in his previous encounters with Clan cats. A bunch of rogues, plus Varuin, all lying in wait inside Leafclan territory along a hunting patrol path? It screamed of a trap.

Baring his teeth to the cold, the senior warrior glared up at the silver tom. A flicker of memory stirred at the sight of the rogue, but Nettletooth brushed it away. He could smell a fight brewing in the frosty air, and it was setting his blood pounding.

[Twineheart]

[ Creekpaw won't make his appearance up until Varuin attacks his mother so feel free to skip over me for now :3 Carotius Ambrose Babylonranger Trickle nomstar ]

[nomstar]

OOC: I swear I already replied to this... Vinepool for Adder and Isilme for Bumblepaw :D

He was ready. Ready for this battle. He was so ready. To sit in a tree and watch Varuin making a fool of himself. This was going to be great. He was sat in a tree diagonal from the silver tom. This was going to be great. Maybe he would participate. Maybe. Only if he felt like it. On the branch below him were two kits. Well, they weren't really kits any more. Adder and Primrose. His half-siblings. Happiness welled up inside of him as he thought of the two kits that he had liberated from the Midnightclan camp. They loved him. For the first time in his life, he was loved. It was a great feeling. He flicked his amber eyes back to the shape of Varuin. When was it going to start? At the last battle he had learnt that the clan cats never learnt. How many times had they called him Tigerkit? Well they couldn't any more. He was 12 moons old now. Old enough to become a warrior. If he was still in the clans. A drop of regret flashed through him as he thought about how he could be having a warrior ceremony now. but that was never going to happen. The clans hated him. He was never going back. Training his thoughts back on the upcoming battle, Tiger smiled. It was going to be great. Just you wait. The figures of Willowbranch and a couple of other warriors emerged from the bushes. Perfect. He stood up in his tree. Luckily the tom was behind the clan cats. They couldn't see him. but they would. Soon they would. Especially Willowbranch. but Tiger was willing to wait. As long as it took to get his revenge.

Whilst he was waiting, two Leafclanners padded through the greenery. Rivercloud looked down at the apprentices beside her. One of them was her own apprentice, Bumblepaw, and the other was Ryepaw. She was so happy to finally be out of the nursery. Even though she still missed her kits, it was so... amazing to be out of the camp. She looked down at the two apprentices. They were going to do some basic training. Ryepaw had sprained a paw on the day of her apprenticeship and it had just kept on getting sprained or twisted. Finally it was better. but not after three moons of her apprenticeship had passed. She must be the oldest apprentice ever to not of done any training. but that was going to change today. but before they could reach the training spot, she scented a strange smell. Rogue. "Stay here," she whispered to the apprentices, "I'm going to go and check this out." She crept out to where Willowbranch was standing. "What do you want us to do? He's not coming down."

[Vinepool]

Adder sat on the branch below his half-brother. His eyes gleaming hoping for the chance to fight the others cats, he had no grudge on Leafclan but he wanted to show Tiger how loyal and strong he could be. He dug his claws in to the loose bark of the tree getting ready to jump in to battle at any moment. Adder noticed Tiger eying some of the cats that had gathered near the tree. He wished he could jump down and attack them right now but he kept himself glued to the spot to the tree. He saw his half-brother eyes the cats, he was eying on the of the cats a lot. He smiled happily and he chuckled softly not wanting cats to hear them. He grumbled wishing Varuin wasn't there so he could attack first. He noticed a cat drifting away from the group of cats. She stuck her nose in the air and padded towards another cat. He narrowed his eyes and flicked his gaze towards the she-cat that was moving around. He kept his eyes on the cat and waited for Tiger to say something.

[Carotius]

OOC: Okay, everyone, I'm gonna dump a posting order now so things don't get too hectic.

Myself, Trickle, Ambrose, Babylonranger, Twineheart [once the attack begins], nomstar , Vinepool, Isilme [once she posts].

Generally, you'll have two days to reply from the timestamp of the last post. If you don't manage to reply within that time frame, we'll skip over your turn to the next person in line. ^^

Also, excuse my terrible post this round ;w;

---

The large rogue didn't have to do that much of waiting at all; not too long after the disfigured tom's tail slipped from sight, the familiar scent of LeafClan began to fill the air of the clearing, prompting a rather delightful grin to decorate his face. The time of the tree-climbing Clan pests would come to an end, but this was not to be it. This was to be a bigger warning, a gigantic scar within their ranks, their home, and their heart, all in the name of revenge for the wrong that had been done to him seasons upon seasons ago. Sharpened claws scraped noisily, almost tauntingly, as brown eyes half-glared at the LeafClanners in the snow drifts.

"You must lack the smarts of the brain by asking me that question, Willowbranch. Perhaps you've become a bit senile too," he called back, taking a few steps forward on the branch while his hidden rogues widened their lips in amusement. Varuin lifted his tail once he stopped, gazing down at the deputy. "Aww, is the poor deputy of LeafClan cold and hungry? Would you like me to share some of the prey I've stocked up from your forest?"

Unknown to Willowbranch and her Clanmates, Varuin had lifted his tail as a signal to his band of rogues, most especially the trio who were hidden in the frosted branches of another tree positioned behind the Clan cats. Once his tail was down, all of the world's law and order would crumble into an arena of hissing and spitting, with all the bloodshed one could think of from one small patrol. You will feel what I felt as a cat barely out of kithood! [/b] The silver tabby swallowed the growl, not wanting to unleash his rage now. He was not going to let his own anger ruin the plan just yet.

Crouching on the branch, Varuin curled his lips in a sneer, "Oh wait, that's right... You rats are selfish mouse-brains. You take all the prey of the forest that could have been enough to feed us all, and then attack us for trying to hunt for our own survival. Your warrior code is nothing but a weak link to your dead family!" He raised himself to full height now, muscles rippling underneath his silver fur as the brown eyes blazed with the anger he had held within. LeafClan was to pay for their self-righteousness. LeafClan was to pay for their crimes! In a voice mixed between a purr and the beginnings of a snarl, he gave Willowbranch the similar words of their last encounter, "The storm has arrived, LeafClan."

Varuin's tail fell towards the branch, an earsplitting yowl tearing from his throat as he signalled the attack.

[Trickle]

Only a few moments had ticked by and the forest was as still as ever.  It seemed as if the trees and dead foliage had frozen and then began to lean forward, yearning to see what was soon to happen.  Degas felt the weight of anticipation pressing heavily on his broad shoulders.  His eyes flicked up to Varuin once more, and just as he did so the sound of voices rang out through the trees.  It was a feminine voice that spoke of the way trees stood strong despite the beating they had taken throughout the years.  but all trees fall at some point.  The thought blew through his mind as he began to lean forward, as far as he dared, to peer at the coming patrol.  

They had stopped, a small she-cat was holding the lead.  For a moment, he simply observed her.  She was quite small, but seeing that she was lead she must be the deputy.  Degas knew little of the clan hiearchy , but Varuin had filled him in enough to understand the leading roles.  Mainly he had told him this information because the deputy would be in the attack.  There were few other cats with her that he spent less time observing.  They did see him yet, so his hiding spot was working well.  but, the she-cat had spotted Varuin in the tree tops.  A feline smile crept at his features.  
Degas' tail twitched as Varuin spoke, giving a name to the little she-cat.  Willowbranch. Tch, clan names. A growl started to rise in his throat, but faltered as the tom in the trees rose his tail.  Any minute, no, any second the signal would be given and then everything would break loose. Varuins speech made an unfamiliar rage pump through his veins, giving him new energy.   

You take all the prey of the forest that could have been enough to feed us all, and then attack us for trying to hunt for our own survival. Your warrior code is nothing but a weak link to your dead family!

Yes... YES.  All the words rang true.  Degas' claws dug in to the snow, the chill ran up his legs making him shudder.  His eyes blazed and his heart raced.  

The storm has arrived, Leafclan.

The yowl of the tom above pierced the air, Degas let one of his own erupt from his chest before springing out of his cover.  His back legs bunched and the muscles strained and he pushed himseld toward the patrol.  The rogue didn't know who he would attack until the last second.  His burning gaze fastened on to a silver tabby furred tom[Nettletooth].  As soon as he thought he was close enough, he leapt.  The toms front legs extended and his claws reached out while his face was contored by a guttural snarl.   

[Ambrose]

Willowbranch's mind raced with panic as she realised the danger of the situation. There were cats in the trees who could attack her and her patrol whenever they wanted; it was like a hawk searching for prey. Her patrol was in danger, and there was nothing she could do about it except let them fight. Fighting was the ultimate solution that Willowbranch hated to use, but what was she to do? Ask Varuin politely to leave? Hm, good luck with that. She searched around, stepping forward into danger. It was the most courageous step she had ever taken, but without a doubt the most dangerous as well. Here she was, laying herself out in front of them, almost telling them to attack her. She wanted to back down again, but there was no going back now.

She coaxed her patrol onward into the clearing, her claws ready for action. What once was anxiety had turned to anger; for Varuin and all of his cronies. She heard a voice behind her calling out, "What do you want us to do? He's not coming down." Willowbranch turned around to answer her query. "Just.. be prepared to fight. Fight like never before." she called strongly, listening in to hear anything.

What came was not malicious whispering, but rather a loud voice she would never forget. It was the one behind all of this... Varuin! Willowbranch's head whipped upwards to see the the silver mackerel tabby tom who was taunting her. "You must lack the smarts of the brain by asking me that question, Willowbranch. Perhaps you've become a bit senile too," he snarled. Willowbranch chuckled. "I lack the smarts of the brain? What about the psychopath in front of me that didn't learn from the last border patrol?" she growled. "And I would rather be hungry and let the queens and elders have their food, than a greedy piece of foxdung like you." She beckoned her patrol forward once again. 

Willowbranch's fur prickled with foreboding. She knew there was a fight to happen, but Varuin had to make his little speech first. "Oh wait, that's right... You rats are selfish mouse-brains. You take all the prey of the forest that could have been enough to feed us all, and then attack us for trying to hunt for our own survival. Your warrior code is nothing but a weak link to your dead family!" Willowbranch was furious now. We're the selfish ones? "The Clans fought moons upon moons ago to get this far. Maybe if you left the forest you would find some prey? I'm sure we'd appreciate that, too. Or maybe a kittypet owner could make you feel loved, for once." she yowled, scratching the ground with her paw. She was ready. She would fight for her Clan, her family, her ancestors, for StarClan.

"The storm has arrived, LeafClan." 
And so there was chaos. Willowbranch could see a rogue attacking Nettletooth right in front of her, but she thought Nettletooth could handle it. She searched for Varuin; they had something they had to finish.

[Babylonranger]

The silver warrior's dark gray ears flicked at the former queen who'd approached Willowbranch, gritting his teeth at her inane comment. Not coming down? he thought, sparing a quick glare for the two she-cats before returning his yellow gaze to the trees. Everything he'd heard about this rogue suggested he was violent and confrontational. Of course the piece of fox-dung was coming down.

Nettletooth tuned out the silver tom's speech, focusing instead on Varuin's body language. Hateful but confident, the scarred rogue glared down at the Leafclan patrol, his striped tail raised, his muzzle curled in an angered sneer. The senior warrior sniffed quietly, subtly taking in the scents in the small clearing again. Dismissing the familiar smells of nature and clan, he honed in on the unknown scent. Scents? Hackles raised in suspicion, he cast his gaze about the rest of the tree branches seeing no one but Varuin just as the rogue lowered his tail and yowled.

Cats burst into the clearing at the signal; one, a large brown and silver tom leapt towards Nettletooth who growled in frustration. An ambush. Of course. Annoyed by his lack of foresight, the large silver tom faced his snarling attacker and stepped to the side in an attempt to dodge the rogue's first move. With a snarl of his own, the muscled warrior swiped at the rogue's torso with his right paw, claws out and ready to sink in and tear at fur and flesh.

[nomstar]

OOC; Sorry that this took so long. I was waiting for Twine to reply then realised that she's waiting for Willowbranch to be attacked XD

Below him, the fight broke out. Rogue vs. Leafclan. The battle of a lifetime. One that Tiger would not be participating in. Well, not yet. 
As soon as Varuin's cry rang out across the forest, Nettletooth was lept on by a rogue who seemed vaguely familiar. but Tiger payed little attention to it. Around them, the snowy landscape seemed to stretch forever. Sparkling white snow was lain along every branch and every bush. The tabby tom climbed higher and higher until he was balancing on the spindling branches at the very top of the tree. He was transfixed by the beauty of it. So it when a rogue was thrown against the base of the tree, the branch beneath him swayed and then snapped. 

He landed in the soft snow unharmed. Next to him, the spotted rogue crouched, ready to pounce on Tiger when the tom snarled, "I'm on your side, mousebrain!" He watched satisfied as she padded away. Next to him, a ginger she-cat emerged from the crowd. Her pelt stank of Leafclan and had a faint scent of milk. but none of that mattered. She was the enemy. And she was going down. He lept at her, pinning her to the ground. She writhed underneath him and used her hind legs to push the considerably smaller cat off. but he wasn't giving up. Tiger smiled. This was it. He was going to win. Suddenly, a small she-cat landed beside him. "Hey Tiger, I came to help!" Despite the fact that she had no battle practice whatsoever, Primrose had spirit and that was enough. At least, that was all he had when he was outcasted. So the tabby tom nodded and together they resumed their attack on the Leafclan she-cat.

EDIT: Umm, it's been a while so Carotius, who's up?

[Carotius]

OOC: Rev up the engines once more!
Next: Ambrose because VARUIN IS COMING RIGHT AT WILLOW

---

It was absolute chaos.

Cats were spitting and fighting, wrestling each other to the ground in a bid to overthrow the other. Bristling fur and lashing tails gave way to the vicious ripping of fur and flesh, spraying the snowy landscape with ghastly splatters of crimson lifeblood. Varuin watched it all from his perch on the tree, suppressing a maniacal grin as his ragtag band shoved themselves onto the LeafClan warriors. Falling for an ambush. Pity. His tabby tail twitched thoughtfully as he scrutinised the mingled pelts, searching for that one familiar chocolate calico fur...

There you are.

The silver rogue launched himself from the trees, claws fully extended and teeth bared in a snarl, ready to drop onto the smaller deputy of the annoying tree-climbers. Let's see how much you can anticipate my moves.