#the wolf is growling (ic crookedstar);

[wolfpackmuses-a]

Closed starter for @blxestar​

Crookedstar paced back and forth outside the nursery, glancing up at every sound and movement that occurred inside. He had been nervous all morning since Bluefur had begun to come down with kits just on the edge of the ThunderClan and RiverClan border and he cursed at himself for having had met her tonight, just for this to happen. He was annoyed, but he knew she was in good paws with Brambleberry and Mudfur, who was quickly becoming a very knowledgeable medicine cat, would help ease her pain and help with the kitting.

Brambleberry had basically been inside the nursery with Bluefur since she arrived with Crookedstar to RiverClan’s camp a few hours prior, with Mudfur running to and from the medicine cat den with herbs, sticks, and whatever else was needed. When Mudfur was busy, Crookedstar was more than happy to help, having gathered fresh moss and water for his mate, and of course better materials for her nest to make her more comfortable.

It had been a while since he had heard anything from inside the den and Mudfur had sent him away, so he could stop pacing back and forth worrying himself,

❝She’ll be fine, she’s in good paws, just trust me Crookedstar,❞ Mudfur had told him with a genuine smile,  ❝She’ll be fine, don’t worry.❞

And he had kept the medicine cat apprentice and Brambleberry to that. He had also kept to himself, trying to preoccupy himself with other things, meaning he had organized the dawn patrols, gotten the hunting parties together, and helped the mentors with what they should train their apprentices on for that day.

Cedarpelt had let him do so, knowing that Crookedstar wanted to keep busy, but the deputy padded up to Crookedstar after he was done, sitting beside him. He looked to the young leader, seeing his fur being spiked with worry, and a look of worry still plastered to his face.

Cedarpelt used his tail to smooth out his leader’s fur and to reassure his old apprentice,

❝Everything will be alright. . It’s green-leaf, she couldn’t have asked for a better time to have kits,❞ he whispered and Crookedstar nodded, giving a small sigh.

❝I know, I know, but after the other issues we’ve had, I j-❞ he was stopped mid-sentence by Cedarpelt, who had slapped his tail over Crookedstar’s muzzle,

❝She’ll. Be. Fine,❞ he said again, much more stern, to which Crookedstar nodded again, this time fully understanding. Cedarpelt dropped his tail and Crookedstar looked back across the clearing as Mudfur exited the nursery to fetch a bit more damp moss and quickly returned only a few minutes later into the den.

Crookedstar could only sit impatiently and wait. His nerves were getting the better of him and he was thinking of worse case scenarios the entire time. He didn’t know what to do or say, before a yowl broke his thoughts,

❝Crookedstar!❞ Brambleberry yowled from the nursery to him across the clearing.

Crookedstar scampered to his feet and sprinted across the clearing, being met by Brambleberry outside the nursery, Crookedstar giving her a worried look that quickly melted when he saw the prideful look on her face and the happiness that shone in her eyes,

❝Have a look,❞ she whispered to the leader,  ❝Two kits. One tom, one she-cat. I won’t spoil anything else, but Bluefur absolutely wants you to help name them.❞

Crookedstar smiled from one side of his crooked jaw to the other and dipped his head to Brambleberry, who returned the head dip with her own,

❝Thank you, Brambleberry,❞ he breathed and quickly moved his way into the den to meet his mate,

❝Well? How are they? What do they look lie? Are they already warriors?❞ Crookedstar asked excitedly as he moved over to his mate. He moved around the back side of her body, lying down, and then curling around her body with his own. He stuck his crooked right leg out, that still wasn’t healed fully, and looked at her with joy filling his heart and his body swimming with nervous feelings.

Mudfur looked on at the scene, giving a small purr of amusement,

❝I guess not even the strongest of leaders can hide their excitement about kits,❞ he commented with a chuckle, to which Crookedstar shot him a glance that was of slight annoyance with him, but it wasn’t mean spirited and Mudfur knew that.

❝Come on! I want to see them!❞ he breathed to Bluefur, excitement glittering in his eyes.

[wolfpackmuses-a]

@fledercanons​ continued from x

It was not lost on Crookedjaw the words to other one told him. Crookedjaw was usually one who took people at their word, but events had started to change his views and he was now not nearly as trusting as he had been in the past. The matter of just having found a cat on patrol was one that he didn’t come across often, at least not many loners or rogues. It might have been some clan cats every now and again, but rarely did he find anyone else.

Crookedjaw flicked his tail, looking at Lark, thinking over what he said, before he came to a decision on what to say next,

❝I ask only because of some experiences I’ve had in the past,❞ he responded,  ❝Usually if there are cats found on the territory, it’s usually not ones who are unaware of the clans. I feel you don’t pose a threat, so I won’t bother with that. However,❞ he paused and looked Lark over,  ❝I am curious to know how you got here. It’s not exactly an easy trek over the rocks by the river.❞

[wolfpackmuses-a]

For Crookedstar. (Nightmare meme.)

It’s cold. Cold enough to see your own breath. But it’s dark. Why is it so dark?

Glowing yellow eyes flash through the shadows.

Taunting. Sly.

“So you’ve chosen the same path as I did, hm?”

Mapleshade.

“You’ve made a fatal mistake, Crookedjaw. One that I’ll make you regret.”

A white flash, and blinding pain in his jaw.

“This is what happens when you make the wrong choice.”

Another burst of pain, this time in the cheek.

“Goodnight, Crookedjaw…”

A sea of blood, the feeling of drowning… panic. Helplessness.

F e a r

(I’m sorry Crookedjaw lol)

From: Send my muse an anonymous nightmare || Currently Accepting!

Crookedjaw always feared anytime Mapleshade showed up. But now? Now when he had his family, when he thought he had finally moved on from Mapleshade? Where he thought he finally had some peace?

No. That would be too easy.

Before he had a chance to react, blinding pain flew through the bad side of his jaw. He stumbled to the dirt, unsheathing his claws to try and fight back, but then the other hit came from the good side and he smashed into the ground. He snarled, out of rage and he stumbled to his feet trying to find her, glaring through the darkness.

But, that was all replaced when he felt the blood, it rising more quickly than he ever could have anticipated. He began to sink into it, his mind racing in fear as he desperately tried to make it to where he could be at the surface.

But he was no RiverClan cat. He had learned that when he had fallen into the river when he was young, only to be scooped out by some RiverClan warriors who took him back to ThunderClan, where Goosefeather had done his best to help his jaw heal.

But now, there was no chance of escape. In his final moments, his mind flashed to his mate, how happy the two were together and how happy he was that someone had seen past his face, to see who he truly was inside. He let his mind fall to peace, but part of his body screamed for air and a final thought came to him. . .

StarClan. . help me!

That was all it was before he faded to black and woke up in a pure panic. His claws were unsheathed, he seemed to be coated in blood. Pain seared through his face, about as bad as it had been when he broke his jaw. But, all he cared about in that moment, was that Bluefur was alright.

He raised his head, breathing heavily still and eyes darting around the warrior's den as he looked down at his mate, her sleeping soundly.

He felt relief wash over him and he sighed heavily, closing his eyes for a moment. He saw Mapleshade flash before him again, but he shook her away as he cleaned himself best he could and laid down again, next to Bluefur. He got closer, making sure he was with her, before he stared out of the den at the darkness that was over the camp.

He was safe. He was alright. And Bluefur was still here next to him.

Mapleshade couldn't hurt him anymore.

[wolfpackmuses-a]

why are you lying ?

- @blxestar!

From: Assorted Questions || Currently Accepting!

Crookedjaw stared at her for a few moments, trying to formulate any sort of response he could give her that would be at least somewhat reasonable. But, his mind was blank. He couldn’t think of many, if any, explanations to give her and he knew that it would only lead to more questions.

‪❝Did you want me to tell you about my past?❞‬ he snapped back with a snarl, ‪❝Dod you really want to know why I woke up countless times during the night and why I always woke up with scars?? Why I was always so tired during training?❞‬

He was obviously not happy that she had called him out like this, that she has finally began to figure out the lie he had lived for so long. The fact that he had been trying to hide the fact he has trained with Mapleshade in the Dark Forest. Something he didn’t want to think about, nor was it something he had wanted to ever bring up to her.

‪❝I’m sorry I lied!❞‬ he hissed softly, ‪❝But I didn’t want to rope you into my nightmare. It was what I had to deal with alone, to try and become a great warrior. All because I broke my jaw when we were kits.❞‬

He said nothing and looked past her, to the edge of the river that lay beyond the tree line ahead. He said nothing and brushed past her,

‪❝I didn’t want you to get hurt as well. Because I know Mapleshade will not look too fondly on you finding out. I promised her no one else would know,❞‬ he growled softly over his shoulder at her.

[wolfpackmuses-a]

“Let’s go outside and dance in the rain.” from @blxestar​

- Zootopia!Bluefur, for Crookedjaw!

From: Grump/Sunshine Starters || Currently Accepting!

Crookedjaw looked up at her, with a somewhat confused expression at first. A small smile spread across his face, but he did end up raising an eyebrow out of pure curiosity and he chuckled,

❝I thought you hated going out in the rain?❞ he asked, ❝Because if my memory remembers right, the last time we got caught out in the rain, you complained about it for days!❞

He was joking, of course, but he still had to poke fun at her sometimes. After all, it seemed she had never liked the rain. Crookedjaw didn't mind it at all and in fact enjoyed going out every now and again, just to get his pelt wet. It just felt natural that way, but he wasn't sure as to why.

❝I guess if you want to go out, we always can. Just don't complain to me after five minutes that you want to come back in,❞ he said and stood up, moving to open the door and glancing at the pouring rain outside, ❝This is your last chance if you want to back out.❞

[wolfpackmuses-a]

“Oh, a cat? Uh, hey there…”

Lightning hadn’t met a cat in his whole life, so upon meeting one for the first time, the red-and-white husky didn’t know how to react.

“…my name’s, uh, Lightning. Lightning McQueen. What’re you doing out here in the forest?”

@lightningmcxueen, for Crookedstar!

Of all things to have expected while out of camp today, this was not one of them. While Crookedstar was usually one who tried to stay away from dogs at all cost, he had found this one by the river. He really hadn't wanted to approach, simply watching the hound, before he carefully walked over, inspecting what happened.

The fact the dog didn't immediately try to bite him or go after him made him wonder more about this dog, about what it was doing out here. He had heard from the other clans at gatherings that there had been reports of more dogs around WindClan territory, but the fact one had been by the river?

That put him on edge.

❝How are you even able to speak to me?❞ he asked in a very cautious way, ❝I've never met a hound that was able to speak to any cat, especially when they usually aren't ones who want to interact with us at all. In fact. . I'm wondering if this isn't just a trap.❞

His fur began to stand on end and he narrowed his eyes as he got ready for whatever dogs might come out and attack him, but after waiting for a few moments, none did. That made him even more concerned and his fur didn't flatten. At all.

❝Alright, Lightning,❞ he sneered, ❝Why are you out here? Tell me a good reason so I don't have to race back and grab my warriors to take care of you here and now.❞

[wolfpackmuses-a]

“You look like a zombie. When was the last time you had proper sleep?”

@blxestar to Crookedstar!

From: Tired Starters || Currently Accepting!

Crookedjaw raised his head to look at his mate and leader, eyes drooping and barely able to keep them open for more than a few moments. It was very clear that the ThunderClan warrior had been sleeping awful lately. He opened his mouth to respond, but a yawn filled to void right away and he struggled to stay sitting up.

❝It's been a few days,❞ he whispered not able to respond much louder than that. He yawned again, much more heavily this time and he strained his eyes to focus on her, trying to sort out where he was and how he got here. He didn't know it, but he had actually collapsed by the river on the ThunderClan side, having been on patrol with a few cats, clearly overthinking that he had enough rest to do any sort of activity.

Luckily, the patrol had noticed and helped carry him back to their camp to help him rest in the medicine cat den.

❝Why. . . .❞ he felt his head drop on to his paws and he couldn't keep his eyes open for very long, being way too tired to respond properly. The nest that ThunderClan had was actually quite warm and he was more than happy to sleep a moon in it if he needed to.

As soon as he drifted off, his own soft snore startled him awake and he yawned again,

❝Why. . do you. . . ask?❞ he asked Bluestar, but didn't look at her. He didn't have the energy for that, ❝Am I really. . in that bad of. . a condition?❞

[wolfpackmuses-a]

❛  who did this to you?  ❜ / from Jayfeather to Crookedstar

From: Angsty Question Starters || Currently Accepting!

❝I think that entirely depends on how much you would want to know,❞ he replied to Jayfeather with a huff and winced as he felt more cobwebs being applied to his back.

He knew what had happened, it was absolutely clear in his mind who had done. All those years of training in the Dark Forest and all the years of being followed by Mapleshade, only for it to cultivate in a decision: Would he accept her bid to join them and go down a darker path? Or would he break away and have to face the consequences.

His choice was clear and now there were claw marks everywhere along his body, heavy wounds to his back from the fight that had nearly cost him a life in the process.

❝If you want a short answer, it's a cat from the Dark Forest. A cat named Mapleshade,❞ he muttered unwillingly, ❝But if you want to know what you can do to help, that would be nothing. My fate has been sealed and I can't change that now.❞

[wolfpackmuses-a]

“Crookedstar… you look awful. What happened?”

- from Bluestar!

@blxestar

From: Short Angst Starters! (cc: @blxestar) || Currently Accepting!

Crookedstar looked her way and he gave a bit of a snarl, more as a way to keep her back and away from him. Yeah, he was beaten up pretty badly. Blood seemed to be dripping down the front of his neck from his jaw that had been sliced at and hit pretty hard, but also had scratches, large cuts, and bite wounds along his shoulders and on the underside of his belly.

❝I'm fine!❞ he hissed through the pain, ❝Don't worry about me, I can find Brambleberry or Mudfur and be fine!❞

Ah, what a lie that was coming from the RiverClan leader. He still refused to show any signs of weakness or pain to her, especially after what had happened between them and Thistleclaw. He also was still trying to keep Mapleshade a secret, which was something that would get out sooner or later.

But for now, he just needed to find a medicine cat and get some help.

[wolfpackmuses-a]

Storm listened to the two mongooses speak to him and explain their situation. To be quite frank, it was somewhat hard for him to wrap his brain around something like that, as it didn’t seem to be something he was too familiar with.

Or. . Was he somewhat familiar with this? While it didn’t seem that either of the two mongooses were animals that you would find in StarClan, he couldn’t help but wonder if this was something like Storm had seen in his short time in the clans.

Maybe thinking it over, he could tie it back to himself in a way, because of what had occurred when his name had been changed. He wouldn’t be caged physically, but he did feel as if his new name had kept him from becoming a true warrior, to actually be able to change anything for his future.

‪❝No, it wasn’t for a golden mouse,❞‬ he replied and shook his head, ‪❝But I guess they might make a better explanation. I’m trying to avoid going home, to see any of the cats that were a part of my old clan. I broke my jaw when I was young and my mother forced a new name on me.❞‬

A sigh came from him and he shook his head a bit and looked back out to the surrounding grasslands that he was sure made up WindClan territory.

‪❝My clan was trying to keep me from doing anything, to leave helpless in a way. My own mother even considered giving me to another clan, so she wouldn’t have to see. . ❞‬ he snarled, ‪❝This!❞‬ he motioned to his jaw to explain that a bit better, ‪❝My clan didn’t want me. My own mother was rejecting me. I saw no point in staying in a place I didn’t want to be, so I left. To make a life of my own.❞‬

(wolfpackmuses):

Storm looked between the two of them and he said nothing for a few moments. He was thinking about what they were saying and the situation the two of them were also currently in. While it seemed that the two of them also had some issues, it was as if all of them had some issues with running away from something.

Storm didn’t know what that was for the two mongooses, but perhaps that was something he was going to find out as well.

Or at least he would find out with time.

❝Well. It’s good to see that I’m in good company I guess,❞‬ he replied to the two of them and sat down, his tail curling over his paws, ‪❝Would probably be my first time of hearing anyone having to deal with a threat from a few centuries ago.❞‬

Storm seemed to be somewhat interested in this as well and he wanted to find out more info if he could about what they were going through. Maybe they could all find a way to help each other.

‪❝What exactly would you be running away from? It doesn’t seem there would be anything out here that would want to hurt you as far as I could tell,❞‬ he said and shrugged, ‪❝But I guess I’m the same way. You wouldn’t guess cats might be out trying to find someone like me.❞‬

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"Well, you probably wouldn't believe," Gef puffed out his chest, only to brush it down with his paws. "But I'm, well — sort of a freak. An angel, if you will. Very clever! But the other angels do not like my cleverness... They want to take me back and cage me. But I am not a creature to be caged. I am meant to be free."

"We were ejected," Rikki added, seeming baffled at the concept himself. "Taken right out of the marshes. I didn't even know where we were when we got here. Gef says only that we must be on the run with tricks, so that he is not taken. That we may be ejected again."

The yellow mongoose nodded, half-grimly yet still mischievous. He looked the tom cat up and down. He'd certainly not missed the broken jaw, as it stuck out like a sore paw to place bluntly.

"What's your story? On the run for stealing a golden mouse?" Gef tilted his head.

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[wolfpackmuses-a]

😶 + Crookedstar, would you ever tell Bluestar that you love her? C’mon, I know you do.

(Probably in the canon verse, where they didn’t get together after all? Lol.)

From: Send 😶 + An uncomfortable question for my muse || Currently Accepting!

I likely would have, possibly at some point. I loved her, I really did, but at the same time Willowbreeze still has my heart. I loved her to death and I don’t think I ever would have been able to choose between the two of them. But, if I had to, I think I still would have chosen Willowbreeze.

She loved me so much, despite everything she knew I went through, and cared for me deeply. It still hurts that she died so young.

[wolfpackmuses-a]

@blxestar said: “Crookedstar, it is good to see you again.”

Bluestar respectfully dipped her head to the bigger cat. “I haven’t spoken to you since I became leader. How is RiverClan? I suppose they are well-fed in this season,” she guessed, looking past him at the lake in his territory, teeming with fish.

“It is nice to finally talk to you, old friend.”

Crookedstar wasn't planning on really running into anyone today, especially not out by the river. He just wanted some time alone from the camp, to finally get his head wrapped around everything, especially with some of the issues they had lately. It seemed that, despite the fish being in abundant supply, the rest of the clan was getting sick and in a way?

That worried him. It worried him greatly, especially being in a time of year he normally wouldn't see any type of sickness going around.

His thoughts were broken when the she-cat spoke to him across the river and he blinked a few times to get his head back in focus. He spotted the blue-furred she-cat and knew immediately who it was without a second thought,

❝Bluestar,❞ he replied and dipped his head back, ❝It. . has been a moment since I've seen you, huh? Guess I should have expected you to come down here eventually, once you finally achieved your new name,❞

He paused for a moment and chuckled, a bit out of embarrassment, but looked back to her after having looked away for a moment or two,

❝And RiverClan has been fine. We've had some sickness problems, but nothing out of the ordinary,❞ he replied and chuckled, basically lying through his teeth, ❝Congratulations on the new title, by the way. I know ThunderClan is in good paws now. I was under the impression things were. . A little rocky.❞

[wolfpackmuses-a]

Crookedstar listened to his words carefully and began to review his options for something like this. He wasn’t sure if there would be any hostilities, so he assumed it would be fine, so long as the clan understood that Lark wasn’t here for any bad reasons.

‪❝It’s a shame to hear that it could cause so much damage in a short amount of time,❞‬ he replied with a nod as they walked towards camp, ‪❝And there shouldn’t be any issues with you staying in camp. We’ve had some relatively peaceful times around the territories recently, so the biggest issue may be the disease itself.❞‬

Crookedstar was sure the biggest issue would rely solely on the disease Lark had described. As they got closer to camp, Crookedstar eyed the border, just to ensure there wasn’t anyone already sick trying to cross the border.

‪❝I can only hope that this disease doesn’t affect us just yet. I’ve enjoyed the peace and I know the clans have as well,❞‬ he said softly, ‪❝But I guess only time will be able to tell.❞‬

@wolfpackmuses​ (x)

Keep reading

[wolfpackmuses-a]

The light brown tabby narrowed his eyes at the mongoose that stood in front of him, what had been a fresh rabbit was now gone right before his eyes. While Storm, also formerly known as Crookedkit, was not happy about losing such prey while out on a hunt, he was more annoyed by the way the mongoose was boasting about it right in front of him.

❝I would it would be wise not to boast about taking someone's kill when they're right in front of you,❞ he responded with a huff, ❝Especially when you seem to be smaller than even some of the cats I've seen roaming around here.❞

While it was clear that he didn't have any ill intentions, he still did want to use his larger size as an advantage, likely more as a scare tactic than anything else.

❝I don't think I've actually seen anything like you before,❞ he said lowly and took a step forward to get a better look at the mongoose, ❝What exactly are you and why did you intend on wanting my prey so badly?❞

OPEN. UNLIMITED REPLIES.

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There the yellow mongoose sat, having helped himself rather shamelessly to a meal that wasn’t his to take. Gef flexed his claws about the snack, tongue swiping over his muzzle almost smugly as he looked to the stranger he’d stolen from,

“Sorry, were you going to eat that?”

Off to the distance, obscured in hiding, another mongoose peered out, expression in clear frustration and disapproval of his partner.

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