Warrior Cat Clans 2 (WCC2 aka Classic) is a roleplay site inspired by the Warrior series by Erin Hunter. Whether you are a fan of the books or new to the Warrior cats world, WCC2 offers a diverse environment with over a decade’s worth of lore for you - and your characters - to explore. Join us today and become a part of our ongoing story!
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11.06.2022 The site has been transformed into an archive. Thank you for all the memories here!
Here on Classic we understand that sometimes life can get difficult and we struggle. We may need to receive advice, vent, know that we are not alone in our difficult times, or even just have someone listen to what's going on in our lives. In light of these times, we have created the support threads below that are open to all of our members at any time.
Dim light peaked through the bleak gray skies overhead, with not a spot of blue to be seen behind the thick layer of clouds. Frost-covered grass and dead leaves crunched underneath the paws of a large, ragged brown tom as he lumbered silently through the forest, carrying a pair of scrawny field mice in his jaws. Small clouds formed in the chilly air with every heavy breath he huffed, and his long white whiskers caught the few snowflakes that drifted down from the heavens. Tired green eyes glanced upward; those few flakes would become a proper snowfall before long, maybe even a snowstorm.
Tempo's pace slowed as he neared a large, moss-covered tree, stepping carefully over some of the above-ground roots before ducking his head to enter a small hollow within the side of the tree. It wasn't very big, but it was well-hidden and good enough protection from the weather to suit two grown cats. Glancing over to the side, the old tom's gaze softened upon seeing a grey tabby she-cat resting in her nest. "Sorry I'm late," he sighed, padding over to Rose and setting his catch at her feet. "This was all I could find." Two little mice, after an entire afternoon of hunting.
Rose lifted her head as he spoke. Surely it isn't cold enough for the prey to start going hungry already, she thought warily as pawed at the two tiny mice and frowned at them. They hardly had any meat on them, and she felt a little bad they they were already starving for food and had probably been hunting themselves. "It feels like winter is here early this year." She sighed as she fully sat up and stretched. It pained her to admit that she'd never fully recovered from being held hostage by a sickly apprentice seasons ago. She still hated being in the dark, which was slightly ironic considering she couldn't see anything to begin with. She didn't know how to say that she didn't feel hungry even though she knew she should be after not eating for a few days. Though all the painful memories of BrookClan still haunted her, she wanted to return the place she'd been born and raised. She was sure it wasn't the same as it had been the last time she was there -- right before she lost her kits.
Taking a step back to allow his mate room to stretch, Tempo's jaded gaze silently followed her movements as he attempted to gather both his thoughts and his breath. In a sad and ironic way, he was glad that Rose was blind, so she didn't have to see how absolutely fatigued he was. But in spite of her eyesight, she always did have a way of knowing anyway; figuring out what he was hiding from her without having to see it. "It feels that way every year," he finally answered in a flat tone, too tired to even raise his voice or argue. For a moment, he considered just flopping down on the ground right there and taking a nap, but the tabby instead leaned forward to lick Rose on the ear. "We'll...make do with what we can. I could even go to the Twolegplace and scrounge up what the Twolegs dump out. Rouges I've come across say that's the easiest way." The tom clenched his teeth. It felt...wrong, stooping to the level of kittypets and street cats for food, but what other choice did they have?
Rose's ears started to flatted at his tone. She knew he was exhausted, more during the winter than during the summer, and wished she could be more help. Instead, she had to force herself to go out and pretend to be confident, when really she was terrified that she'd get lost or lose him, or get kidnapped again. She suppressed her shiver. When he mentioned they might have to scavenge leftover twoleg food, she shook her head. Neither of them wanted that, and they'd find a way to survive the winter without snooping to the lows of street cats and kittypets. "Get some rest," she mewed softly as she nuzzled his cheek. "And eat the mice you brought home." As she said that, she finally felt hungry, but she'd learned to ignore it. The feeling would pass soon, anyway.
"No," he chided back firmly. "I don't care if you don't feel hungry, you need to eat. Here, we'll each have one." Tempo bent down and nosed one of the mice over to her before shifting his attention to the other one that was still in front of him, gobbling it down promptly before Rose had a chance to discover that he had secretly given her the slightly larger meal. He chewed in relative silence, glancing outside every so often to observe the snowfall. It seemed to be drifting down at the same pace as earlier, though the fakes were noticeably fluffier with humble patches of white forming on the dirt. It was still too soon to conclude a storm, but blizzard or no, there would surely be a blanket covering the forest by morning. He was only consoled by the fact that they had the foresight to stuff their nests beforehand with various fur left behind by prey. At least they'd be warm. But would that be enough?
Rose glared at him as she took a bite of the mouse. While there was hardly any meat on it, she wasn't sure if she could eat the whole thing. She got about half way through the scrawny thing before her stomach clenched and she couldn't eat anymore. She turned her glare to the mouse. She was aware that it wasn't healthy for her to eat sometimes, but it wasn't like everyone didn't go hungry in the middle of winter. "If I eat anymore I'll be sick." she mumbled as she nosed the remainder of the prey over to Tempo.
His weary green eyes seemed to fixate at the empty space between Rose and the half-eaten mouse, lingering there before letting out an exasperated snort. Shuffling towards the den's entrance, he poked his head outside and scooped up a small pile of snow that was resting against the bark with his front paw, silently pushing it aside until he reached solid dirt. He then slowly began to dig a small hole in the cold and frozen dirt; not particularly deep, so they could easily access it later, even with high snowdrifts. Once he was satisfied, Tempo then softly picked up the mouse and dropped it in the hole, covering it back up with dirt and snow. "There," he finally grunted. "Better to store and ration what we can't eat. Just in case." He turned and walked back to his mate's side, curling his tail around hers. "I know you've been feeling under the weather lately. Just do the best you can, alright? Don't push yourself for my sake."
Rose knew it wasn't just a recent thing, her not being able to eat a lot and sleeping way to much. But regardless, she gave him a small nod as she leaned into him. "I'll try." she didn't lift her head to speak.
Lifting his tail, Tempo pulled her close to him until they were pressed up against each other, with Rose's head resting lightly on his chest. If she listened closely, she could probably hear his heartbeat underneath his thick matted fur. He rested his chin on top of her far shoulder, holding her in a tight embrace for what seemed like forever. He wouldn't have minded if it was forever. They sat there in silence for a long time, with no sound audible except their labored and tired breathing in the cold air. Finally, the old tom forced himself to say what they both didn't want to admit: "Rose, I...I don't think we'll be able to last much longer if we stay here..."
Rose was content with how they cuddled. While it hadn't been but a few days since the last time, it felt like it had been longer. She frowned when he said they had to go back, or they wouldn't survive. Go back where? They were home. It took her a few moments more to come to the conclusion that he was talking about a clan (or a group). They'd been without a clan for so long.
She felt a sudden longing to return to the place she was raised - BrookClan. Even if it was different than what she remembered, it was still where her life had started. Where her siblings and adoptive mother died. She didn't count Rosedestiny and SunClan as her life's starting point.
After a few moments, she decided to voice her question. "Go back, where?"
