On the morning the rain [falls].open

[| COMRADE |]

A deep, boggy feeling filled the air of the camp that morning, while ghostlike-clouds filled the sky, blocking out the small trace of the rising sun. The air was wet and humid; a storm was coming. While the warriors slept in their dens, the ground began to grow darker, the sandy-soil turning oak-brown, and soft patters were heard as soft precipitation fell upon the leaves. There was no dim orange glow left from the sun now- the clouds had gradually swelled into a deep, angry dark gray, closer to black in some areas. The rain began to fall harder, the pattering leaves soft no longer. A heavy downpour struck down upon the forest. In the squall, a she-cat crouched alone in the shelter of the gorse tunnel, amber eyes aimed upwards, squinting carefully at the sky. Her fur was hardly visible in the darkness of the overcast, and soon was understood fir her fur being black. The she-cat was small, ears angled towards the sounds of rain pelting the ground, some so hard that they left holes and slashes in the leaves where they struck. Seldom droplets of rain broke through the cover of the gorse entrance and dripped into her fur. When they did she shivered from the sudden cold of the spinning droplets. The wind was rising. In the distance thunder rumbled, growing louder, the ground trembling beneath her paws in the blast. Lightning tore across the sky. Silentstar sprang to her paws, having enough of the storm and she stalked across the clearing, her yellow-amber eyes gleaming through the shadows and headed for the warriors den. Despite the storm, the warrior code said that warriors must patrol their borders, no matter the weather. She'd lead the patrol herself that day. As she stuck her head in the warriors den she first glanced around to see if any warrior had been awakened by the storm.

[stardust]

despite the colder weather, the black tom was the first to rise to his paws. He stretched and yawned, but was soon awake with a yellow burning light that struck the sky. Lightning, it was a storm, and most cats would be keeping shelter in there den for the day. The kits would be snug against thier mother's warm fur, the elders chit chatting about how in their prime they could take down a badger. The average clan life, except whisking about in dens. A warrior would look outside and tell the young leader that no cat would dare leave the safety of there camp and there was no reason to patrol the boarders. Spiderclaw thought otherwise.

The black tom blinked. His honey eyes were the only thing visible in the darkness. The once dark gray cloudes were no black, and no light was visisble. The only time you were able to see was when lightning, blue or yellow struck the sky."There is nothing in the warrior code that says you need a whole clan to patrol the boarders. I will go and I'm sure that will be enough until the next patrol is needed. Shadowclan has a history of crossing boarders in a storm. You can never be to careful. He stepped out of the comfortable warm den and was shocked when the dagger like rain drops his his fur. He hissed uncomfrotably waiting for his leader to take the lead.

[ginger]

A light shower of rain sprinkled like glistening diamonds, reflecting the shinning sun hovering over in the clear blue sky. Dew trickled down blades of grass as droplets continued to fall. A morning breeze, like always, washed over camp, spreading a cool enchantment around. But there was a distinctive crackle of thunder, then lightening, frightening little kits. Lightening struck the golden sky, and now dark gray clouds formed.

Auburnpaw flinched. She was the only one awake in the apprentices' den, and at first bored. But now that he heard the loud storm, her amber eyes flew open. Immediately she fluffed up her tail and decided to check outside. However she was confronted by now pelting rain and squishing mud. Why is there always rain and mud in a storm? She thought in protest, but managed to ignore it and inspect the clearing. The was Silentstar, and there was Spiderclaw.
Spiderclaw, Deputy, Patrols... the apprentice thought excitedly to herself, and suddenly rushed over to the cat, then spoke, "Are you going to make patrols? Are you?" Her overwhelming excitement took over for a bit, and she hoped he wouldn't mind. Despite her joy, the she-cat knew not to embarrass herself in front of others. She usually did, and they'd either get ticked off or leave. She didn't think he would do either, but you can't ever be sure. Waiting for his reply, she glimpsed a small, twirling yellow leaf in the distance, but almost right when it fell to the ground, lightning seized it. It shriveled up, then lay crunched on the ground.

She gulped. Secretly, she hoped no cat would face that fate. Because being struck by lightening was heard to be one of the painful deaths, and no cat in ThunderClan deserved an excruciating death.

[stardust]

Spiderclaws whiskers twitched with amusement when the young she-cat sprang into action. Of course he was and would be organizing patrols. His light black pelt was now soaked and midnight black. You couldn't disticnt his tabby stripes any longer. He looked outside the safety of the brambles. At least the canopy would protect them better than the open camp would. He lifted a paw to shake water droplets away. He watched as lightning crunched a leaf, it was a lit in a blaze for a small time but the rain was thick that it wouldn't burn for very long.

Yes Auburnpaw I am making patrols. It's a job that must happen whether or not its raining or the suns out. I never promised patrols would be fun. His own tone was distressed. No one would want to be out here. Patroling the dens were enough for him. If he found a stray leaf he could attack it and throw it out. It would teach the leaf not to mess with his nest. Yet, he knew that he had duties to do, and being lazy was not part of that job. was it?

Would you like to go on the patrol Miss Auburnpaw? Your mentor should be teaching you how to track. Its the perfect whether. Rain washes a scent away quickley. I find my apprentices had great success when I taught them in the rain. Its a big game of hide and seek really. It is quite fun....Where is your mentor anyway?

[| COMRADE |]

A purr of amusement rose and fell in Silentstar's chest as she watched her apprentice come running up as though there was nothing that could disown her excitement. And then the lightning struck, and she screwed her eyes up tight as the sudden flash of light. The leaf it had hit fell burned to the ground. She watched it with distant eyes, not really thinking about it but rather, anticipating what could possibly happen out in a storm in the forest. Cats could get hurt by falling branches or trees, or get struck... By lighting, like that leaf. Others could slip on the mud and fall to their death somewhere on the ravine, or they could run into a badger, fox, dog, or twoleg. Yet they could also just make it through with no problem at all, other than a soaking wet and muddy pelt. The conversation between her deputy and apprentice wafted in and out of her focus, but she did manage to hear Spiderclaw asking Where is your mentor anyway? She looked up, and flicked a long tail.

"She's right here," she meowed, blinking as another jolt of lightning clawed across the sky. "And you can come with us, Auburnpaw. I might as well train you in all weather so you're always prepared," she added.

[ginger]

Auburnpaw purred happily. Despite the lousy weather, she had been dying to do her first patrol, and especially in a storm. With the wind whistling and howling in their ears, and flashes of brilliant light dazzling her eyes, this day would last as a day of terror, and she wanted to be a part of it. And plus learning tracking-it was like 2 for the price of 1. For once, the storm was good. "When can we go?" She asked.

[lilybolt]

Duskfur crept out of the warrior's den, flinching once or twice as the icy dropplets of rain fell hard against his pelt from the dark gray abyss above him. His pelt looked like it would blend quite well with the sky above, as the clouds and storm seemed to give him a darker appearance than usual. He looked across the clearing, and saw Silentstar, Auburnpaw, and Spiderclaw all talking about going on a patrol. Duskfur knew the patrol would be cold, wet, and dangerous. Not exactly an enjoyable idea for any cat. However, it was the danger that made Duskfur walk up to the gang of cats and meow, "Excuse me, but do you mind if I join you? The weather is very nasty, and perhaps the more cats the better, for saftey reasons, you know?" He looked to his leader, awaiting her answer. His gray fur was now drenched, and his paws coated in thick, sticky mud. He turned his blue gaze to the sky, as another flash of lightning tore across it. The electric sound, like giant explosions, and a thousand angry cats met his ears. His pelt to tingled slightly. He knew those flashes of light could easily crisp a cat! He looked back to Silentstar and the others.