Post by Earth Hearted on Jul 19, 2016 21:16:27 GMT -6
A/N: Hi everyone!
This is a story about one of my characters on a Warriors' forum, Thrushstar (formerly Thrushleap). I really liked him, so I transferred him over here as Winterspark. This'll be his life story as a warrior cat! To read a summary of it, please visit Winterspark's application. It's the same, but with Packs instead of Clans. I hope you enjoy it!
The random names in green next to some of the characters indicate the users who've played those characters on the Warriors forum. I don't own those characters, but the players have given me permission to use them in the story, as Thrushleap the forum character has interacted with these various cats, and I want to incorporate his relationships into the story.
This story is discontinued due to the forum shutting down and me losing interest, but if you guys want me to continue it by all means tell me, and I will try my best to do it! I still wanted to share it on here because Winterspark is Thrushstar, and if you wanna know more about Winter's past it'll be right here. I like to spin my RP plots into stories, so if anything interesting comes up here I may very well write it down. ; D
*All Clans belong to the original creator of the forum, Midnight. Original story and structure of Warrior Cats belongs to Erin Hunter. All other characters besides those who have the green names beside them are created by me.
Note: this takes place in a world where Firestar and other canon characters do not exist.
More characters will be added if needed. I will post with an updated Allegiances list if needed, every once in a while.
Sorry for the slightly cringe-worthy writing. I wrote it when my writing was quite rusty. ^^'
Thank you for reading! Please review through PM! I take any criticism, and I'm always up for advice!
PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT ON THIS THREAD. ANY POSTS WILL BE SENT TO POST HEAVEN.
Sorry, that's all the gobbledygook that I have! Enjoy the story. ^^
Allegiances
WhisperClan
Leader:Icestar (originally Fangstar) [Sand]-- Large white tom with piercing blue eyes Deputy:Moonclaw-- Silver she-cat Medicine cat:Twigtail-- Skinny brown tabby tom with green eyes. APPRENTICE, ALDERPAW Warriors:Snowfall-- White tom with ginger patches and yellow-green eyes. APPRENTICE, BADGERPAW Flamewolf-- Large ginger-and-white tom with yellow-green eyes. Junipertail-- Russet-colored she-cat Oaknight-- Fluffy brown tabby tom with green eyes. Moleclaw-- Dark brown tom with green eyes. APPRENTICE, LAKEPAW Sunrye-- Dark ginger tabby tom Rubbleclaw [Lionhearted]-- Pale gray tom with amber eyes. Tawnyflower-- Tortoiseshell she-cat APPRENTICE, KITEPAW
Hazel-lark-- Fawn-colored she-cat Swiftblossom-- Silver she-cat Pinetail-- Russet she-cat Aspenheart-- Russet tom Squirrelflame-- Pale ginger tom APPRENTICE, GOLDENPAW Shrikestorm-- Pale gray tabby tom APPRENTICE, FROSTPAW Specklestorm-- Dappled she-cat Brightbriar-- Gray tabby she-cat with bright green eyes. Fallenhawk-- White tom APPRENTICE, GINGERPAW Larchhaven-- Small ginger-and-white she-cat APPRENTICE, SKYPAW Runningwolf-- Large black tom Thornblaze-- Golden brown tabby tom. APPRENTICE, ROSEPAW Tigerdapple-- Dappled dark ginger she-cat APPRENTICE, SHADOWPAW Weaselfire-- Fawn colored tom APPRENTICE, WINDPAW Grasstalon-- Large brown tabby tom APPRENTICE, NEWTPAW Bristlepelt-- Spiky-furred black-and-white tom Appleleaf-- Russet she-cat Robincall-- Tortoiseshell she-cat Timberwolf-- Brown tom with yellow eyes Eaglestrike-- Brown tom with amber eyes Brighteye-- Gray she-cat with yellow eyes Swift-tail-- Gray tom Badgerstripe-- Large dark brown tom Vixenfire-- Gray she-cat Thistletail-- Messy-furred brown tom with yellow eyes. Bramblefur-- Tabby tom Larkblaze-- Fawn colored she-cat Brackenheart-- Creme colored she-cat Apprentices:Alderpaw (originally Cedarpaw) [Heatherpaw]-- Fawn colored tom with green eyes Badgerpaw-- Black-and-white tom Lakepaw [Lionhearted]-- Tortoiseshell she-cat Frostpaw-- White tom Kitepaw-- Dark brown tabby tom Goldenpaw [Lionhearted]-- Ginger tom with patches of white. Gingerpaw-- Golden brown tom Skypaw-- Pale gray she-cat with golden eyes. Rosepaw [Lionhearted]-- Ginger she-cat Shadowpaw (originally Wolfshadow) [Amber]-- Large black tom with yellow eyes. Windpaw-- Silver Bengal she-cat Newtpaw-- Ginger she-cat Queens:Shellsong-- Pale ginger she-cat with green eyes (mother of Thrushkit [Lionhearted], Hopekit, and Havenkit). Grayfern-- Silver she-cat (mother of Cinderkit [Ambrose], Blazekit [Puddlesdog], Emberkit [Wolf], and Stonekit [Queen Jay]). Daisyfur-- White she-cat (mother of Featherkit [Clemintine], Birchkit, and Brownkit). Wrenflight-- Ginger she-cat (mother of Foxkit [Icestorm]). Leafwhisker-- Brown tabby she-cat (mother of Doekit [Heron] and Deerkit). Elders:Sheepclaw-- White tom with blue eyes. Lichenfeather-- Creme colored she-cat. Hawkdapple-- Tortoiseshell she-cat.
MidnightClan
Leader:Bramblestar [Legit]-- Large brown tom with yellow eyes Deputy: Gorsewhisker-- Ginger tom Medicine cat:Scorchflower-- Black-and-white she-cat Warriors:Spottedtuft-- Gray-and-white she-cat Waterflame-- Blue-gray tom Tawnyfur-- Calico she-cat Fawnflower-- Fawn colored she-cat APPRENTICE, ASHPAW Apprentices: Ashpaw [Frost]-- Gray she-cat
StormClan
Leader:Brackenstar (orignally Goldenstar) [Lightningtrail]-- Golden brown she-cat Deputy:Riverpelt (orignally Smokeshade) [Stormsy]-- Blue-gray tom Medicine cat:Smokeclaw-- Smoky gray tom with amber eyes. Warriors:Birdpelt-- Small ginger-and-white she-cat Talltree-- Tabby tom Firestep-- Ginger tom Owlclaw-- Dark brown tom
LeafClan
Leader:Whitestar (orignally Froststar) [Lemonade]-- White tom Deputy: Goldenflame [Deku]-- Small golden-brown she-cat APPRENTICE, BEETLEPAW Medicine cat:Redheart-- Russet tom APPRENTICE, BLOSSOMPAW Warriors:Jaggedclaw-- Black-and-white tom Ryepatch-- Light brown she-cat Cherryclaw--Mottled she-cat APPRENTICE, WHITEPAW
Apprentices:Whitepaw-- White she-cat
Queens:Brownpatch-- Calico-and-white she-cat (mother of Willowkit [Ambrose])
SunsetClan
Leader:Mousestar (originally Ratstar) [Acro]-- Small dappled she-cat Deputy:Applefur-- Calico she-cat Medicine cat:Bluehawk-- Blue-gray tabby tom APPRENTICE, DAWNPAW Warriors:Branchflight-- Light brown tom Mudstripe-- Dark tabby tom with bright yellow eyes. APPRENTICE, VINEPAW Darkshade-- Dark tabby she-cat Shellsplash-- Creme colored tom APPRENTICE, PALEPAW Yarrowtail-- Black tom APPRENTICE, HAWKPAW
Apprentices:Vinepaw [Lunar]-- Tabby she-cat Palepaw-- Pale brown tom Hawkpaw-- Tabby tom
The light shone softly upon the WhisperClan meadow camp. The sky was a pale, clear blue, and the clouds danced above the bustling warriors. To the side of the camp, passing cats looked on in amusement at two kits tussling in the tall, green grass.
"Gotcha!" A small white kit pounced upon his ginger-pelted brother, causing both of them to tumble to the ground.
"No, you don't!" the ginger kit wriggled out of the white tom's grip and slipped out, shaking his fur. "Loser!" he sneered. "You have to grapple harder than that!"
"Don't call Frostkit a loser!" squeaked a ginger she-kit, who was watching to the side. "And when can I play? You two told me to wait!"
"Shut up, Rosekit," the ginger tom said dismissively. "I can call him anything I want. And we aren't done with our battle-- no one has won yet, obviously!"
"That's not fair! You said I could play a couple of moments ago! And now it's been longer than that!"
"Just wait a little longer," said Frostkit impatiently, taking no note that Rosekit had defended him earlier. He wiggled his haunches at Goldenkit again, who mirrored his move with a leer on his face.
"Kits, come and take a nap," yawned a pale ginger queen, padding tiredly out of the nursery. Rosekit immediately padded towards their mother, but the two brothers stayed where they were, locked in their staring contest. "Come on, Frostkit and Goldenkit."
"No! Someone has to win this."
Their mother sighed. "Well, you'll get tired eventually. Why not call it a draw? Now."
"We'll come when we're finished," Goldenkit said, his tail lashing.
"Can I play when I wake up?" Rosekit squeaked.
"Yeah, whatever."
"Hurry up," their mother said sternly, and then led Rosekit into the nursery. Frostkit and Goldenkit continued to stare each other down.
"Ha! I won! Loser!" squealed Goldenkit. Frostkit was blinking rapidly, scowling.
"Frostkit? Goldenkit? Where is Rosekit?" a white tom appeared at their side.
"She's taking a nap with Shellsong," said Goldenkit.
"And I don't think she's going to wake up anytime soon," Frostkit added quickly. "Will you take us out to the territory, father?"
"No, I can't. I'm here to tell you that Sheepclaw wants to talk to you," said the white tom, his gaze grim. "He is resting in the elders' den."
"Where else would he be?" whispered Frostkit in Goldenkit's ear. "Maybe he can tell us another story!"
"Yeah, I want to hear that one about Nightstar again!"
"Hello, you two," croaked Sheepclaw as the two kits padded in. Frostkit and Goldenstar wiggled excitedly as they sat down. Behind them, Hawkdapple and Lichenfeather snored on.
"Are you going to tell us a tale?" asked Goldenkit abruptly.
Sheepclaw shook his head, looking somewhat offended. "I am about to join StarClan," he rasped. The two kits gasped.
"Wow! Can you take us there?"
Once again, the old white tom shook his head. "No, you mouse-brains. I'm dying!" Frostkit's and Goldenkit's eager grins faded.
"Aw, no!"
"Who'll be there to tell us tales?!"
"There's Lichenfeather and Hawkdapple for that," said Sheepclaw grumpily. "Now, listen up. I'm about to tell you something I want you two to hold onto for the rest of your life."
"Ohh. Tell us!" Frostkit and Goldenkit leaned forward.
"I'm getting to that," Sheepclaw snapped. "You both know that I am your father's kin, and therefore your kin. But I am not your father's father. My brother, Sharpfire, was your father's father. I never took a mate.
"You must know that you cannot distract yourself from being loyal to WhisperClan. From being the best warriors you two can possibly be. Taking a mate is a big mistake. Having kits will pull you away from your duties as a warrior."
"Ew, kits?" Frostkit interrupted, wrinkling his nose. "We're still kits."
"Yeah, that sounds gross," Goldenkit added.
"Be quiet, you fools!" Sheepclaw glared at them, and they backed down hastily, looking uneasy. The white tom relaxed and sank deeper into his mossy nest. "Remember that loyalty is everything. It is the most important thing in your lives. Show that you are a WhisperClan cat as much as you can. Fight for the Clan. Die for the Clan. Do everything for the Clan. Do you understand me?"
"U-uh, what if you kinda like a she-cat in the future?"
"That's fine," grunted Sheepclaw. "But do not go any further than friends. You don't know what could happen. You cannot get too trusting with a cat of another Clan, either. Acquaintanceships are allowed, but keep in mind that, inevitably, you will meet in battle with the ones you talk with across the border. Don't ever let others doubt your loyalty. That is the sign of a failing warrior."
Frostkit and Goldenkit did not know what to say. Wordlessly, they nodded their heads.
"Good-bye, then."
"Wait... what?"
But Sheepclaw had slumped down into the moss, and had stopped moving. Exchanging a glance, the two kits approached the dead elder cautiously, pressing their noses to his fur. For a moment, a breeze could be felt, and it whispered a single sentence in the kits' ears:
Loyalty is everything.
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Last Edit: Jul 19, 2016 21:18:54 GMT -6 by Earth Hearted
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Post by Earth Hearted on Jul 23, 2016 18:05:24 GMT -6
Chapter 1
Season: Leafbare
"...Is there something wrong with him?" asked a voice rather bluntly.
"Yeah, he seems kinda... small," added another voice uncertainly.
"Well, I think he's cute!" squeaked a female voice happily.
"Shut up, Rosepaw," said the first voice.
"Frostpaw! Apologize to your sister, now!" Thrushkit recognized the voice of his mother, Shellsong. "That was very rude of you to say that to your own sister."
"I'm sorry, Rosepaw," said Frostpaw in a monotonous voice, not sounding sorry at all. Wow, what a jerk, thought Thrushkit. I can't even see or move yet, and I can already tell that this cat is going to be a meanie. And it's really cold! He shivered and snuggled closer to the warm body that was his mother. He felt her press her nose to his head in an affectionate manner, and relaxed. Go away, Frostpaw.
"What's his name?" asked the second voice.
"I bet it's Smallkit," said Frostpaw in amusement. Hey! I'm not small!
"No, it's Thrushkit," snapped Shellsong. "You were once small, too. You're still small, little one."
"Not for long! And why hasn't he opened his eyes yet? Is he a mouse-brain? 'Cause you said Goldenkit and I opened our eyes super quick! Why can't he hurry up?"
Shut up! I'll do it when I want to.
"Be patient," said Shellsong rather impatiently. "Frostpaw, you've got to stop being so rude. Please think before you say anything that might offend anyone. It'll do you no good in the future."
"Whatever."
Season: Newleaf
The darkness suddenly disappeared as Thrushkit opened his eyes for the first time. Sunlight shone down upon the nursery, and Thrushkit squinted around before adjusting to the new brightness. Wow! Everything was so different! The camp was huge.
"You've opened your eyes!" said Shellsong in delight, gazing down upon Thrushkit. So this was his mother. She's pretty! I hope I get to look like her someday. Except more tomcat-ish.
"Yeah, I have!" he squealed in excitement. "Can I go play now? The camp looks amazing!"
"This is only a small part of the entire world, dear," purred Shellsong. "And be careful."
"I will! You said this camp was safe, right? Wow! I want to go meet everyone!" Except Frostpaw.
At the entrance, three apprentices were busy tussling with each other. Two toms had sprung upon each other, and the third one, a ginger she-cat, had lunged on top of them both, and was pawing at them rapidly.
"Ow! Ow, stop it, Rosepaw! What are you trying to do, kill us?" yowled a white tom, who sounded like Frostpaw. Thrushkit backed off.
"Sorry-- oh, hey, look! Thrushkit's opened his eyes!" said Rosepaw in excitement, jumping off them; she sprang off Frostpaw's back, and Frostpaw growled. Beside him, the golden apprentice laughed abrasively, causing Frostpaw to scowl and tackle him again.
"Yeah, I have," said Thrushkit, feeling uncomfortable as he gazed at the two toms fighting and yowling.
"Ignore them," said Rosepaw dismissively. "They don't let anyone else play, anyway. Come on, I'll show you around."
"Okay!" Feeling excited, he started to follow Rosepaw around as she gave him a tour.
"This is the warriors' den. All the warriors who fight for the Clan sleep in there. Me, Frostpaw, Goldenpaw, and all the apprentices sleep there." she flicked her tail to a patch of grass that had been flattened; it was obvious that there were always cats who were there to sit and lie down on it. And I'll take you to the elders! They always like seeing new kits."
"Okay," said Thrushkit again. Will they like me?
"They tell a lot of interesting stories," Rosepaw said from the front, and Thrushkit let out an excited grin.
The elders were resting under a small tree that was perched on the side of the camp. Thrushkit approached the two older cats nervously. They had to be the oldest and most experienced cats in the whole Clan. Surely they picked who they liked...
"Well, well, well. Shellsong and Flamewolf's kit, eh?" croaked a tortoiseshell she-cat.
"Yes, hello, Hawkdapple," Rosepaw greeted, dipping her head. Thrushkit tipped his head at her.
"Do you like me?" he asked abruptly.
"Thrushkit!"
"It's okay, little mouse," chortled Hawkdapple, reaching out to sniff Thrushkit, who leaned back slightly. "He's still young. It's understandable."
"Hello, young'un." Another she-cat appeared beside Hawkdapple, smiling warmly upon Thrushkit, who was beginning to feel intimidated. "Thrushkit, is it? I'm Lichenfeather."
"A-are there more of you?"
"No," said Lichenfeather quietly, "there's just the two of us."
"The last elder to join StarClan was Sheepclaw," added Rosepaw. Hawkdapple gave her a glare. "Oops."
"What does 'joining StarClan' mean?" asked Thrushkit, starting to feel There was just so much he didn't know! Or understand. Would he be able to learn it all? Perhaps Frostpaw had been right. He probably was mouse-brained.
"You'll learn later," said Rosepaw quickly.
"Can I go meet my brothers?"
"You've already seen them-- they were the ones fighting," said Rosepaw in amusement.
"Oh. Then, do I have any littermates?"
"Er--" Rosepaw glanced at Hawkdapple and Lichenfeather, and they stared back blankly. "Yes, yes you did. Two sisters, Havenkit and Hopekit."
"Where are they now?"
"They're in StarClan, little mouse," Lichenfeather interrupted gently.
"Can I go visit them?"
"No, I'm afraid not right now, and not later either," Rosepaw said, looking grim. "Sometime, though. But let's go meet Icestar and Moonclaw. They're the leader and deputy of WhisperClan!"
"Wow! Really?" What an honor! Thrushkit squealed a good-bye to the elders before bouncing after Rosepaw, who was already peering into a patch of tall grass.
A white tom stepped out, with a silver she-cat following. Thrushkit skidded to a stop. The tom was huge! And "small" would've been an understatement to describe the she-cat. His eyes widened, and words got stuck in his throat.
"Hello, Thrushkit," said the white tom. "My name is Icestar. Welcome to WhisperClan."
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Post by Earth Hearted on Jul 23, 2016 18:06:46 GMT -6
Chapter 2
"Wow! So you're Icestar? And you're Moonclaw?" exclaimed Thrushkit. Icestar smiled down upon him, and Moonclaw tilted her head in amusement.
"We hail you," said the deputy, bending her head to press her nose onto Thrushkit's head, "future warrior of WhisperClan. I have no doubt that you will be a dutiful and noble warrior. Flamewolf and Shellsong are both spectacular warriors." Icestar nodded in agreement.
Wow! They like my parents! And they like me! Will I get to be deputy someday? There's so many cats to chose from.
"Well, it was nice meeting you," said Icestar, flicking his tail. "We must go to StormClan territory. There is something we have to discuss with them..."
Aw, just when it was getting nice. "'Bye, then," said Thrushkit and Rosepaw together. They watched the two traverse through the tall grass and disappear.
"Are they mates?" asked Thrushkit in mild interest. Did leaders pick their mates to be the deputy? It seemed grossly unfair. If a she-cat and a tomcat like each other, they're mates, right? Ew. Does that mean if I like Rosepaw I have to be her--
"No," Rosepaw said in amusement. "They're not mates. They're just friends, like you and I. But we're siblings, too. You have to love a she-cat very much to be her mate. Not like liking a sibling-- that's different. A different kind of love."
"Oh," said Thrushkit, relieved.
"But let's not talk about that," said Rosepaw quickly. "Come on. I'll take you to meet other cats. You should meet your denmates, too."
"Hey! I have denmates!" said Thrushkit in excitement. "Where were they before?" I'll have someone to play with!
Rosepaw took him back to the elders' den, where he met more friendly faces: Runningwolf, Brackenheart, Larchhaven, Brightbriar, and Fallenhawk. Where's Flamewolf, my father? Almost everyone was welcoming him into the Clan. He was no longer feeling intimidated by the sheer greatness of the world. He had cats who liked him, and that shielded him from the darker, colder cats, like Frostpaw, who was already getting a bad feeling about. His stomach turned at the thought of his older brother-- what if they fought in the future? Frostpaw would surely beat him up. That golden tom didn't seem so friendly, either. They're both my brothers. Ugh.
"Hey, Grayfern, are your kits awake? Thrushkit's opened his eyes and I've just taken him to meet some cats. But I think he should meet his peers," Rosepaw said cheerfully, poking her head into the nursery. Thrushkit peered in. Shellsong was fast asleep, but the other queens looked at him with interest. Who was Grayfern?
"Hello, Rosepaw. Ah, Thrushkit. Your eyes are beautiful. They're just like your father's." A gray she-cat smiled softly down at him, and he tipped his head to look at her.
"Well, have fun!" Rosepaw exclaimed. "Father wants me on patrol right now." she pointed her tail towards a sturdy-looking, muscular ginger-and-white tom who was standing in the distance. Thrushkit tilted his head.
"That's Flamewolf? Can I go say hi?"
"Ah, that's not Flamewolf. That's my father, Snowfall."
"But I thought we were siblings."
"Yeah, we are. We share the same mother, Shellsong, you know? But our fathers are different. Shellsong has two mates. 'Bye! I gotta go."
Two mates? Doesn't it make it harder to love the two mates? confused, Thrushkit decided to let the feeling go (it was probably not understandable at the moment), and turned back to Grayfern.
"Are you a queen, too?"
"Yes, I am, little bird."
"Do you have kits, too?"
"Yes, I do. Come out here, kits. Thrushkit's opened his eyes," said Grayfern cheerfully, glancing behind her.
"Huh? Oh, hey!" A long-haired silvery she-cat clambered out from behind Grayfern. She had climbed onto her mother's back, and tumbled down with a cheerful yowl, landing in front of Thrushkit. "Hi!" she exclaimed. "I'm Cinderkit."
"Cinderkit, don't do that," scolded Grayfern, frowning. "It's dangerous, and annoying to me."
"Sorry," the silver she-cat muttered. Turning back to Thrushkit, she flashed him a smile. She's pretty! I like her. Does that mean--
"And I'm Blazekit!" yelled another she-kit, bouncing out of the grass and skidding to stand beside her sister. "Wait, there's another one of us. Where's Emberkit? EMBERKIT! THRUSHKIT'S OPENED HIS EYES!" she hollered, peering behind her mother, who scowled.
"Shut up, you nearly made me jump out of my fur," muttered another she-cat, slinking out. She smiled softly at Thrushkit, who was beginning to feel overwhelmed. So these were his denmates? Um...
"Too loud," muttered Grayfern. Totally agree.
"Oh come on," said Shellsong, who had woken up. She was watching Thrushkit with enormous affection, and he flashed her a silly look.
"What?" said the older queen, also watching Thrushkit. "You'd think she-cats might be a little more... er, mature."
"They're just kits," said Shellsong, still amused. "Let them have some fun before they grow up, hm?"
"Swiftblossom and Pinetail are both almost seventeen moons old, and they still act like kits. Eh, I'm just counting on Stonekit to pull through for our family."
"Don't say that!" said Shellsong. Cinderkit, Emberkit, and Blazekit glanced up at their mother, who looked as if she was trying extremely hard not to look back. She kept her gaze hard, staring at Shellsong in the eyes.
"What's going on?" yawned a fourth cat, joining the congregation of kits. This time it was a tom, and only Emberkit smiled at him, though it looked forced onto her face. Ugh. Is he a jerk, too? I hope he hasn't met Frostpaw already.
"Ah, Stonekit! Come meet Thrushkit," said Grayfern, affectionately nudging the tom with her nose.
"Hi," said Thrushkit uncertainly. The sisters were beginning to look grumpy; Cinderkit and Emberkit were huddled closer together, and Blazekit scowled from behind Grayfern's head. Stonekit caught the look, rolled his eyes, and smirked at Thrushkit, tipping his chin in acknowledgement of his existence.
"Hey."
"Kits, why don't you take Thrushkit out to play?" said Grayfern, sweeping all four of her kits towards the entrance with her tail. Thrushkit had to jump aside to avoid getting hit by Blazekit.
"Fine, whatever," muttered Cinderkit, stumbling a bit. Grayfern turned back to talk to the other queens. Thrushkit watched Cinderkit look back sadly at her mother, who was talking loudly about Stonekit. "She doesn't like us."
"I can tell," Thrushkit said, beginning to feel sorry for the she-cats. Stonekit wasn't at all like Frostpaw or Goldenpaw, but he gave Thrushkit the same bad feeling. While Frostpaw and Goldenpaw were harshly honest about everything, Stonekit seemed distant and detached. You're not cool. You just look like a loser trying to be cool.And you don't even pay attention to your own sisters.That makes you lame, like my own brothers.
"I don't want to," Stonekit said, returning to the nursery. Thrushkit felt a spike of annoyance as he watched the other tom saunter away. "I don't play with she-cats. Come on, Thrushkit."
"No, thanks," Thrushkit called after him, making the gray tom turn in surprise. "I'll go with these she-cats. You can do what you want."
"Ha! I guess we're awesome after all," said Blazekit, flashing Thrushkit a grateful grin. He smiled back, flicking his tail.
"So what first?"
"When are they coming?" asked Thrushkit, tipping his head towards Shellsong. His fur had been groomed over ten times by his mother, and now it was glossy and shining. The twigs that had gotten stuck in his fur after his tussle with Blazekit had been pulled out and were lying in a pile beside them. Excitement coursed through him. He'd only been past the nursery entrance and around camp once, and that was with Rosepaw on his first day, nearly one-and-a-half moons ago. Now, his father and Snowfall were going to come and visit him.
"Hey, hey!" two ginger-and-white toms, both with yellow-green eyes, pushed in through the nursery. "Thrushkit, hello!"
"Hi!" squeaked Thrushkit, bouncing up and down. He recognized Snowfall, who Rosepaw had pointed out to him. The paler tom must be Flamewolf. "Hi! Hi!"
"Aw, he's cute, Shellsong," said Snowfall pleasantly, letting Thrushkit grab onto his large, white forepaw. Flamewolf looked on quietly, with affection on his face. Thrushkit looked him up and down, and blinked. Shellsong gave both toms an affectionate lick on the cheek.
He was surprised at how skinny, and small, his father was; Snowfall's large and bulky appearance easily dwarfed him. But Flamewolf only smiled at his son, and moved forward to get a better look Thrushkit glanced back uncertainly. It's probably rude to ask why Flamewolf's so small. I don't want to be a Frostpaw.
"We've got to go," Flamewolf muttered, turning away. "Moonclaw said she wanted us on the evening patrol. Let's go, Snowfall."
Snowfall crouched down in front of Thrushkit. "'Bye, little thrush! I'll see you later! Come find me in the warriors' den." he flicked his tail in a cat-wink, and padded off behind Flamewolf. Are they always that busy? Aw. He looked after them sadly, but Shellsong patted his back with her tail.
"Snowfall'll take you out sometime."
"But what about Flamewolf?"
"He loves you too, but he's a very important warrior, and he has more duties to attend to," said Shellsong gently. "But he doesn't forget you."
"Oh, then. I'll just find my denmates to play with." He didn't have to look far; Cinderkit, Emberkit, and Blazekit were half-hidden in the tall grass, and had been peering at Thrushkit's meeting with Flamewolf and Snowfall with jealousy.
"At least a parent loves you," grunted Cinderkit unhappily. "All Grayfern and Aspenheart have eyes for is Stonekit."
"And you have three parents," said Emberkit, looking dejected.
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Post by Earth Hearted on Jul 23, 2016 18:07:31 GMT -6
Chapter 3
Season: Early greenleaf
"Everyone out of the nursery," Shellsong ordered, gently shooing Thrushkit, Cinderkit, Emberkit, Blazekit, and Stonekit out.
"But--"
"Cinderkit, be quiet. Wrenflight is about to give birth," scolded Grayfern, and turned her attention back towards the spasming queen, while her kit looked at her gloomily.
"Who's the father?" asked Shellsong from inside.
"Not official," grunted Wrenflight's voice. "I didn't expect to have kits at all, honestly. I'm a senior warrior, for StarClan's sake-- ow!" the kits exchanged glances as they heard grass tearing in the nursery.
"Just relax," said Grayfern soothingly.
"Move!" roared a new voice, and the kits jumped aside as Twigtail, the medicine cat, crashed into the nursery with Alderpaw in tow.
"Wow, we seem to be in the way of everything," Emberkit commented quietly. Thrushkit nodded, tilting his head in interest. Did it hurt giving birth. Glad I'm not a she-cat. Aw, I feel sorry for Cinderkit, Emberkit, and Blazekit. They'll have to go through this someday. Hopefully I'm not going to be the one at fault. If it hurts a she-cat this much to give birth--
"That's all," they heard Twigtail say from the nursery. "One beautiful tom."
"His name will be Foxkit," Wrenflight gushed. Then voices filled the air: passing warriors peeked their heads in, giving a quick congratulations. The queens were fussing over the newborn Foxkit and Wrenflight, and Thrushkit exchanged glances with his friends; Grayfern was gushing over how Foxkit was a tom. Stonekit was gazing up at the sky, looking bored.
"Was I like that when I was born?" he mused.
Blazekit shrugged. "We were born at the same time. So we must've been a huge hassle for the queens, hehehe."
"Especially for Grayfern," added Cinderkit, rolling her eyes. Thrushkit tilted his head.
"Why doesn't she like you guys?"
"She and Aspenheart have always wanted a tom," said Emberkit quietly. "We have two older sisters, Pinetail and Swiftblossom. They're really fun to play with, but Grayfern says it's time for them to go grow up a bit. She wants a 'mature tom.' We heard her saying that to Shellsong."
Wow. Grayfern and Aspenheart are sure terrible parents. His mind began to spin as he wondered. Weren't you supposed to love your kit (or kits) even if they didn't turn out the way you wanted them? He didn't know if he could stand it if Shellsong didn't love him. A wave of pity washed over him. They're right. I practically have three parents and they really don't have any. The world is sure confusing. Aren't all cats supposed to know what's right and what's wrong by the time they grow up? Grayfern and Aspenheart should know to love their kits... and Swiftblossom and Pinetail should know that they're big cats now. Shellsong should know who to love. That's just what you learn when you are growing up... right? That's the most important thing... right? Learning what you're supposed to do in your life.
"Thrushkit, are you coming?" Emberkit's voice jerked him out of his thoughts.
"W-what?" Cinderkit and Blazekit had disappeared, but Emberkit was looking back at him, standing at the entrance of the nursery.
"We're going to see Foxkit!"
"Oh! Coming!" Shaking off his thoughts, excitement coursed through him as he raced after Emberkit to meet his new denmate.
"Aw, he's cute, Wrenflight," Cinderkit was saying. Everyone was crouched around a tiny bundle of red tabby fur, which was snuggled up next to the new queen's belly. Thrushkit blinked in curiosity; he couldn't really see what all the excitement was about. It was just another kit. But joy was etched on Wrenflight and her mate Russetstripe's faces. Stonekit squeezed in between Shellsong and Grayfern and leaned over to sniff Foxkit cautiously, looking impassive.
"All right, everyone leave them alone," Twigtail snapped, picking up his herbs. "I've given you some borage leaves to help your milk come quicker. Wrapped in the borage leaves should be poppy seeds, which'll make you sleep. And don't disturb her, the rest of you! Especially you kits. Hear me? All right. Bye." he left quickly, and Alderpaw muttered a quick "congratulations" before departing behind his mentor.
"Does Twigtail not like us?" asked Cinderkit with wide eyes.
"He's just very busy," said Shellsong gently. "His impatience may be wearing out as the day goes by. He has a lot to tend to, but he cares deeply about all of us. He tends to all of our battle wounds and treats our illnesses. Most of us owe him our lives."
"Oh. Well, then, I guess he's a really loyal cat, right?" Stonekit said, looking mildly interested.
"Yes. Loyalty is one of the most important messages of the warrior code, which governs our lives. You must serve your Clan with you life, and never falter to do your duty," said Grayfern. "Always keep that in mind." She yawned and stretched, then curled up. "Well, the excitement's over. I'm going to take a nap. Kits, if you're tired, you're welcome to join me." With that, she promptly turned her backs on all of them and slept in the other direction.
"What are you supposed to be loyal to?" whispered Thrushkit, still interested. Cinderkit and her littermates sat down beside him, peering up at Shellsong, who smiled. I'm finally learning something about the Clan. "The Clan, and nothing else?"
"Swiftblossom told me that she was on patrol and Shadowpaw stepped over the border," squeaked Blazekit. "Does that mean he's not being loyal?"
"Well, no. Loyalty is not just staying behind boundaries. That's just following the rules. But loyalty is deeper than that. Following the rules is part of it, yes, but it's also how we support and show our allegiance with whatever we feel loyal to. And that can mean a number of things."
"So the warriors show their loyalty by fighting and hunting for the Clan," said Stonekit, nodding to show his understanding.
"And Twigtail and Alderpaw show their loyalty by helping us!" chimed in Cinderkit.
"Very good," purred Shellsong. "You kits are all very smart. I'm sure you'll all grow up to be superb warriors."
"Well, I'm going to be the most loyal!" said Thrushkit, eager to join in. "I'm going to train as hard as I can!"
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Yeah? Well, I'm going to train harder," sneered Stonekit.
"Shut up!"
"Thrushkit!"
"Hmph!"
"Shellsong?" Emberkit quietly piped up. "Loyalty is not just to a Clan, right?"
"Yes, Emberkit. It can be to many things. It's to what you feel is important."
"Like family, too? Are you supposed to be loyal to your kin?" Emberkit looked up at Shellsong with wide eyes. Thrushkit, Cinderkit, Blazekit, and Stonekit mirrored her movement.
"Of course. Family is also one of the most important things in our life. You should love your family as much as possible, and everyone should be at each other's side every step of the way. Family is the biggest support you have," said Shellsong gently.
Thrushkit tilted his head. So if her first mate was Snowfall, and then she took a second mate, does that mean she's not being loyal to Snowfall? And if Grayfern and Aspenheart don't like their kits, does that mean they're not loyal, either?
"...and this is the apprentices' den, where we'll be sleeping in two months," said Thrushkit confidently, flicking his tail towards the patch of grass. The three kits that had followed him on the tour nodded vigorously. It was their first day out of the nursery (as they had been born a half-moon ago), and Thrushkit felt obligated and proud to show them around.
"Wow! So you'll be Thrushpaw, then?" exclaimed Featherkit.
"Yep!"
"Wait, so we're not going to have any denmates anymore?" Brownkit pouted.
"Well, you'll have Foxkit," said Thrushkit.
"But he's so mean," pouted Featherkit.
"You mean he never shares anything?" mused Thrushkit. Since he was already three moons older than the younger tom, he only talked to him a couple times, and never took the time to play with him. However, all the kits knew that Foxkit was the most spoiled; whatever he wanted, Wrenflight would happily give to him. It was no surprise that he had become a selfish fur-ball.
"Yeah, but whenever we let him join in on our games, he just takes everything and hides it," complained Birchkit. "Like yesterday, we were playing moss-toss, and he just grabbed the moss-ball and sat on it. So we had to stop playing."
"Just make another one," said Thrushkit lightly. I'm four moons old now. I'm not going to play with the kits anymore. I have to prepare to be an apprentice, and that means letting go of some of the games. Later, I'll try to ask Rosepaw again to teach me some moves. I can get a head start! Ha! Then I can challenge Blazekit to that rematch fight. Ugh, it was so embarrassing that I lost to a she-cat.
"Yeah, but then he'll take that one!" exclaimed Featherkit as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Thrushkit rolled his eyes and shook his head in mock exasperation. That was me four moons ago.
"Rosepaw?" he asked, padding up to her; she had been eating a mouse. "Will you teach me some of your basic moves?"
"Sorry, Thrushkit," she said; it was the same thing every time. He felt his ears droop, and she smiled at him apologetically before giving him a lick between the ears. "I promised to meet Kitepaw for training."
"Kitepaw again?" he pouted. I'll bet you two are gonna be mates in the future, hehehe. "Okay, then." Fine, I'll just return to the nursery with the loud kits and the snoring queens, he grumped.
He squealed as he barely missed Blazekit, tumbling body; she had been fighting with Foxkit. Thrushkit watched as the russet tom threw himself on top of Blazekit, who hollered in surprise.
"Ow! Hey, no claws!"
"Ha! I'm the winner!" Foxkit yowled in triumph, perching on top of Blazekit's body. The she-cat scowled and wriggled, but Foxkit dug his claws in, making her growl more. Thrushkit sighed.
"Blazekit, stop it right now. You're almost an apprentice. What do you think you are, a kit?"
"Really, Grayfern?" said Shellsong, rolling her eyes.
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Post by Earth Hearted on Jul 23, 2016 18:08:14 GMT -6
Chapter 4
"Really, Rosepaw?"
"I said I'm sorry!"
Thrushkit woke to the sound of Shellsong's scolding voice, and Rosepaw's indignant exclaim. Wondering what was going on, he padded outside the nursery, and saw his family crowded around Rosepaw.
"Rosepaw, you must understand that borders are there for a reason," said Flamewolf's firm voice. "You must pay attention to where you are. Crossing the border means that you are not alert enough, and that you are not focused enough."
"It was an accident!"
"Hi," Thrushkit squeaked nervously, squeezing himself between Snowfall and his father. They all stared at him; Frostpaw and Goldenpaw looked furious at his interruption, and they glared at him from across the circle. Uh-oh. His heart began to pound. I'm going to get yelled at. What's up with Rosepaw?
"This doesn't involve you," said Goldenpaw, flicking his ears.
"Yes, go play with your friends," said Shellsong in a more gentle voice, picking him up by the scruff and dropping him outside the family ring. "Go on. We're trying to deal with something here. Wrenflight, can you watch Thrushkit?" she called over him. The rest of the group looked uneasy, and Rosepaw was rolling her eyes and scowling. Thrushkit's face crumpled. Was Rosepaw mad at him?
"Sure, Shellsong," said Wrenflight, padding up. Wrapping a tail around him, she lead Thrushkit away. "Let's go, Thrushkit. Foxkit, come keep Thrushkit company!"
"What?" the small russet tom bounded out from the nursery, his eyes darting around. What's he looking for?
"I said, keep Thrushkit company. Cinderkit and the others are napping. You two can talk, okay?" Giving her son a lick on the head (while he rolled his eyes), Wrenflight disappeared into the nursery.
"Er... want to play moss-ball?" asked Thrushkit awkwardly after a momentary pause. The other kit's eyes were constantly looking around, taking things in. Thrushkit wondered if there was ever a moment when he could be focused on one thing.
"No, that's boring," said the kit rather brusquely. "Let's try to sneak out of camp."
"But we'll get in trouble."
"Who cares?" snorted Foxkit.
"We're still kits. They'll understand, right? They'll think we're just playing." This kit has already understood a lot of what the big cats probably think of us. Perhaps he had underestimated Foxkit.
"It's still risky," he said lamely. The russet kit smirked at the uncertain look on Thrushkit's face. "Come on. It's not a risk if you know what you're doing. You scared?"
"Shut up," snapped Thrushkit, stepping forward to take the lead. "Of course I'm not! Now, we'll need to sneak out unseen."
"Just hide among the tall grass," said Foxkit easily. "And we need to find some flowers, too, to roll in."
"What?"
"To hide our scent," replied Foxkit, giving him a queer look. It's not that obvious, okay? Stop looking so smug! "So they don't smell our trail going out."
"How do you know this?" asked Thrushkit, genuinely impressed. But that doesn't mean I'm admiring him!
"I've listened to some training sessions, learned a couple things." Wow. He's smarter than me, thought Thrushkit grudgingly. And I'm three moons older than him.
"Whatever. Where do you want to go, anyway? Just wander aimlessly?" "No, I have an idea of where to go," said Foxkit, a crooked grin spreading onto his face.
"What, the Butterfly Garden?"
"The Butterfly Garden? What are you, two moons old? No, I meant the Hawk Perch!"
"Are you joking? Forget it! There's hawks there!"
"Duh."
"Don't you understand, you mouse-brain? We're going to get captured, and then eaten. It's dangerous out there-- not even warriors go there often!" said Thrushkit in frustration. Part of him wanted to stay because of the hawks, but the other part of him desperately wanted to one-up Foxkit in his face. And if they both got captured, well, it would be a draw, wouldn't it?
"You can stay," said Foxkit promptly, rolling his eyes. "We're wasting time. If you're not going, then I'll just go by myself. And if you rat me out, I'm taking you with me! You were supposed to be with me! You were supposed to be a good example, and not let me wander off." Thrushkit was taken aback momentarily. This kit, who was younger than him, was threatening him.
"Fine," he snapped, giving in. "But if we're dead and in StarClan, then I'm going to kill your spirit and you'll disappear forever."
"Sounds good," said Foxkit cheerfully, looking smug again. Thrushkit gnashed his teeth and sank his small claws into the dirt, trying to push away the urge to lunge at the russet-pelted fur-ball. He was now extremely reluctant to go, yet at the same time he was fueled up enough to want to leave now. Let's just get this over with.
"Look, Twigtail's going out," muttered Thrushkit, angling his ears towards the departing medicine cat. "And Alderpaw's talking to Shadowpaw. We just get the herbs and disguise our scent with them." "Sure." Foxkit pushed past Thrushkit and bounded towards the medicine den.
"Hey!" following him, Thrushkit sniffed around for the strongest-smelling herb before choosing to roll around in a couple of freshly-picked flowers. Foxkit shook his pelt.
"Okay, let's go." The two wandered around for a while, trying to give the others the impression that they were just playing. However, warriors seemed to everywhere, and it was nearly impossible to find an area of escape.
"What are you two up to?" Rosepaw had appeared before them; the congregation of their family had broken up, and whatever issue looked like it had been resolved. Thrushkit's heart dropped, but Foxkit still had a nonchalant look on his face.
"Just exploring," he said vaguely. "Can we help you?"
Rosepaw frowned. "Exploring? You two know the camp already." her eyes narrowed.
"Are you thinking of sneaking out?""Yeah." Jeez. It's impossible for him to lie just a little bit, huh?
"Whatever," Rosepaw muttered. "Looks like we're all breaking the rules today." and she left, leaving Thrushkit confused. What did she do?
"Nice sister," Foxkit snorted, and dove into the grass. With a bemused shake of his head, Thrushkit followed suit.
"Do you even know where this is?" asked Thrushkit uncertainly, surprised at Foxkit's confident strides.
"No."
"What?"
"Will you relax? We'll know when we get there."
"Of course we will know. If we're dead, we're there!"
"Just shut up! That's StarClan, mouse-brain. Go back if you want," growled Foxkit, sounding genuinely frustrated. Thrushkit scowled back, but stayed where he was: behind Foxkit. The russet tom was alert again; his ears swiveled left and right, and his head darted back and forth. His tail was flat and cautiously positioned, and he was certainly watching where he stepped.
Suddenly a loud, high-pitched bark sounded nearby, and both kits froze. Thrushkit's heart almost dropped. Dog! Oh, no... we're not even at the Hawk Perch yet! Foxkit's determined and confident look melted clean off his face, and he flattened his ears in terror.
"U-uh... Foxkit, we ought to leave."
"No, really?" retorted the russet tom. There was a loud crash, and grass was crumpled as the dog suddenly burst out. Thrushkit and Foxkit frowned.
It was tiny. It was no bigger than them, but its sharp teeth gleamed as it caught the sunlight. By its clumsiness, it was still young, yet beneath its pelt was visible muscle.
"Is this some kind of joke?" said Thrushkit in disbelief. "Let's just--"
"Ow! It bit me!" Foxkit's face contorted in pain as the dog lunged forward unexpectedly and latched itself to his leg. "It hurts! Do something!"
As much as he wanted to see Foxkit's leg get bitten off, Thrushkit grounded his teeth and threw himself at the small dog, claws outstretched. Almost instantly, the dog shifted its attention to him, and its teeth snapped at Thrushkit's face.
"Take a load of this!" The dog yelped as Foxkit scrambled up and slashed viciously at its side; confused, it looked from Thrushkit to Foxkit. Disoriented, Thrushkit weakly batted at it with its paws, and it threw them aside, sending Thrushkit flying. His entire back was in pain, and his head spun. Ow.
"Thrushkit! Foxkit!" a familiar voice called out sharply. A large shape exploded out from the meadow, sending butterflies flying. Another head blocked Thrushkit's view as it bent down, and he felt a jaws latch onto his scruff. Beside him, he could hear someone else running, also carrying Foxkit. Scuffles and yelps sounded in the near distance.
"You mouse-brains," growled Frostpaw's annoyed voice. He glared down at Thrushkit, who flattened his ears; he'd never seen his brother more irritated. Rosepaw stood next to him, checking on Foxkit, who looked somewhat shaken. Thrushkit looked past his siblings to see Goldenpaw wrestling with the small dog. Frostpaw leapt away without another word, sending loose grass flying into Thrushkit's face. Rosepaw crouched over them both.
"What happened?"
"W-we were walking, and that dog came near us," squeaked Thrushkit, his voice catching in his throat.
"It's gone now," said a gruff voice. Frostpaw approached them with a battered-looking Goldenpaw. Grass stuck in both of their pelts, and Frostpaw's white coat was smeared with dirt. Both scowled at the kits.
"Frostpaw! Goldenpaw! Rosepaw! Where are you three?" Rubbleclaw crashed through the grass with Shrikestorm and Larchhaven at his flanks. Frowning in confusion, he gestured to Thrushkit and Foxkit. "What are they doing out here?"
"They seemed to have snuck out," said Goldenpaw. "It looks like they lack the ability to listen to others' advice to stay in camp--"
"True," said Foxkit.
"--and the maturity needed for a future warrior of WhisperClan," Goldenpaw finished, leering. Foxkit frowned.
"That's enough, Goldenpaw," said Rubbleclaw sharply. "Go back to camp, you three. We'll deal with these two."
Thrushkit gulped, but Foxkit only flicked his tail.
Although Foxkit had been right about the warriors thinking that their escape was only out of curiosity and playfulness, Frostpaw and Goldenpaw had seemed to think the opposite. Frostpaw had acted as if he'd only rescued Thrushkit because he had to, and Thrushkit had started to think that perhaps it was only because they were Clanmates, and nothing more. Both brothers had started to look at Thrushkit with embarrassment, and became mysteriously deaf when Thrushkit was brought up. If an outsider had looked at the three toms, they would never think that they were siblings. Wow. I bet Goldenpaw and Frostpaw just thought I was ten times more stupid. It wasn't my fault, really. I had to watch Foxkit.
He desperately wished Frostpaw and Goldenpaw could like him. Why didn't they like him? Was it because he had a different father? Was it because he was just dumb and clumsy? I bet they were like that when they were my age! Cinderkit and her littermates may have had neglectful parents, but at least their older sisters were fun to play with (even if they were a little old). The luckiest of them all, perhaps, was Foxkit, who practically had everything they didn't. Lucky he doesn't have hateful siblings. Well, he doesn't have siblings AT ALL.
While Thrushkit had gotten a long, stern lecture from Shellsong, Flamewolf, and Snowfall (all whom looked extremely exasperated at having to explain the warrior code and the rules once more), Foxkit had gotten away with little scolding. Wrenflight had dismissed Foxkit's acts as kit-play (like Foxkit correctly predicted), but it seemed to make the russet tom annoyed. Wrenflight had even called him "brave," which made Thrushkit scowl once he'd heard it.
Thrushkit comforted himself with the thought of his upcoming apprentice ceremony. Only a half-moon to go! And I'll be out of here, and Foxkit can sulk by himself in the nursery.
He was chattering excitedly with Cinderkit and her sisters about it when the news was delivered.
"I can't wait until we're 'paws," Cinderkit said with excitement.
"Then we don't have to be confined to the territory," added Blazekit, with a glance at Thrushkit.
"I wonder who my mentor will be."
"I want Moonclaw!"
"I want Icestar!"
"I want Swiftblossom or Pinetail."
"I want Flamewolf," Thrushkit chimed in. "I heard he's great."
"Yeah, but he's your father," said Blazekit. "Icestar doesn't give fathers their own kits as apprentices."
"Oh," said Thrushkit, feeling sad. I won't get the chance to impress him, then.
"You could hope for Snowfall," Emberkit said, patting his shoulder with her tail.
"I guess."
Suddenly, the very cat they were talking about burst into the nursery. "Has anyone seen Rosepaw?" exclaimed Snowfall in a worried voice.
"No," replied Blazekit, looking mildly interested. "Why the worry?"
"Can't find her anywhere," said the large warrior, frisking his tail. "We can't detect her scent, and there's no trail of her whereabouts."
"What?" Shellsong was by their side in an instant, looking aghast. "Are you serious? Have you sent out patrols?"
Thrushkit felt his heart drop. Rosepaw missing? No. She was an adventurous cat, he knew that, but she couldn't get lost! She was so smart. "Maybe she went out by herself and disguised her scent," he squeaked, remembering Foxkit's technique. Twigtail had given them a scolding about ruining his herbs.
"That's not necessary for her," said Snowfall, the sides of his mouth quirking up a bit. "And we've scoured the entire territory."
"Relax," drawled a voice behind them. Snowfall turned to reveal Frostpaw and Goldenpaw standing behind him.
Leader:Icestar (originally Fangstar) [Sand]-- Large white tom with piercing blue eyes Deputy:Moonclaw-- Silver she-cat Medicine cat:Twigtail-- Skinny brown tabby tom with green eyes. APPRENTICE, ALDERPAW Warriors:Snowfall-- White tom with ginger patches and yellow-green eyes. APPRENTICE, BADGERPAW Flamewolf-- Large ginger-and-white tom with yellow-green eyes. APPRENTICE, STONEPAW Junipertail-- Russet-colored she-cat APPRENTICE, EMBERPAW Oaknight-- Fluffy brown tabby tom with green eyes. Moleclaw-- Dark brown tom with green eyes. Sunrye-- Dark ginger tabby tom Rubbleclaw [Lionhearted]-- Pale gray tom with amber eyes. APPRENTICE, THRUSHPAW Tawnyflower-- Tortoiseshell she-cat
Hazel-lark-- Fawn-colored she-cat Swiftblossom-- Silver she-cat Pinetail-- Russet she-cat Aspenheart-- Russet tom Squirrelflame-- Pale ginger tom Shrikestorm-- Pale gray tabby tom Specklestorm-- Dappled she-cat Brightbriar-- Gray tabby she-cat with bright green eyes. Fallenhawk-- White tom APPRENTICE, GINGERPAW Larchhaven-- Small ginger-and-white she-cat APPRENTICE, SKYPAW Runningwolf-- Large black tom Thornblaze-- Golden brown tabby tom. APPRENTICE, ROSEPAW Tigerdapple-- Dappled dark ginger she-cat Weaselfire-- Fawn colored tom APPRENTICE, WINDPAW Grasstalon-- Large brown tabby tom APPRENTICE, NEWTPAW Bristlepelt-- Spiky-furred black-and-white tom Appleleaf-- Russet she-cat Robincall-- Tortoiseshell she-cat Timberwolf-- Brown tom with yellow eyes APPRENTICE, CINDERPAW Eaglestrike-- Brown tom with amber eyes Brighteye-- Gray she-cat with yellow eyes Swift-tail-- Gray tom Badgerstripe-- Large dark brown tom Vixenfire-- Gray she-cat Thistletail-- Messy-furred brown tom with yellow eyes. Shellsong-- Pale ginger she-cat with green eyes. Bramblefur-- Tabby tom Larkblaze-- Fawn colored she-cat Brackenheart-- Creme colored she-cat APPRENTICE, BLAZEPAW Shadowfox (originally Wolfshadow) [Amber]-- Large black tom with yellow eyes. Goldenfox [Lionhearted]-- Ginger tom with patches of white. Frostberry [Lionhearted]-- White tom Lakepounce [Lionhearted]-- Tortoiseshell she-cat Kiteheart-- Dark brown tabby tom Apprentices:Alderpaw (originally Cedarpaw) [Heatherpaw]-- Fawn colored tom with green eyes Badgerpaw-- Black-and-white tom Gingerpaw-- Golden brown tom Skypaw-- Pale gray she-cat with golden eyes. Rosepaw [Lionhearted]-- Ginger she-cat Windpaw-- Silver Bengal she-cat Newtpaw-- Ginger she-cat Cinderpaw[Ambrose]-- Long-furred mottled silver-gray she-cat Emberpaw[Wolf]-- Long-furred mottled she-cat with gray, orange, and black patches Blazepaw[Puddlesdog]-- Long-furred ginger she-cat Stonepaw[Queen Jay]-- Short-furred dark gray-silver tom Queens:Grayfern-- Silver she-cat (mother of , , , and ). Daisyfur-- White she-cat (mother of Featherkit [Clemintine], Birchkit, and Brownkit). Wrenflight-- Ginger she-cat (mother of Foxkit [Icestorm]). Leafwhisker-- Brown tabby she-cat (mother of Doekit [Heron] and Deerkit). Elders:Lichenfeather-- Creme colored she-cat. Hawkdapple-- Tortoiseshell she-cat.
MidnightClan
Leader:Bramblestar [Legit]-- Large brown tom with yellow eyes Deputy: Gorsewhisker-- Ginger tom Medicine cat:Scorchflower-- Black-and-white she-cat Warriors:Spottedtuft-- Gray-and-white she-cat Waterflame-- Blue-gray tom Tawnyfur-- Calico she-cat Fawnflower-- Fawn colored she-cat Ashstep [Frost]-- Gray she-cat
StormClan
Leader:Brackenstar (orignally Goldenstar) [Lightningtrail]-- Golden brown she-cat Deputy:Riverpelt (originally Smokeshade) [Stormsy]-- Blue-gray tom Medicine cat:Smokeclaw-- Smoky gray tom with amber eyes. Warriors:Birdpelt-- Small ginger-and-white she-cat Talltree-- Tabby tom Firestep-- Ginger tom Owlclaw-- Dark brown tom
LeafClan
Leader:Whitestar (orignally Froststar) [Lemonade]-- White tom Deputy: Goldenflame [Deku]-- Small golden-brown she-cat APPRENTICE, BEETLEPAW Medicine cat:Redheart-- Russet tom APPRENTICE, BLOSSOMPAW Warriors:Jaggedclaw-- Black-and-white tom Ryepatch-- Light brown she-cat Cherryclaw--Mottled she-cat APPRENTICE, WHITEPAW
Apprentices:Whitepaw-- White she-cat
Queens:Brownpatch-- Calico-and-white she-cat (mother of Willowkit [Ambrose])
SunsetClan
Leader:Mousestar (originally Ratstar) [Acro]-- Small dappled she-cat Deputy:Applefur-- Calico she-cat Medicine cat:Bluehawk-- Blue-gray tabby tom APPRENTICE, DAWNPAW Warriors:Branchflight-- Light brown tom Mudstripe-- Dark tabby tom with bright yellow eyes. APPRENTICE, VINEPAW Darkshade-- Dark tabby she-cat Shellsplash-- Creme colored tom APPRENTICE, PALEPAW Yarrowtail-- Black tom APPRENTICE, HAWKPAW
Apprentices:Vinepaw [Lunar]-- Tabby she-cat Palepaw-- Pale brown tom Hawkpaw-- Tabby tom
Ever since the disappearance of Rosepaw, security had been tight around WhisperClan camp. Thrushkit and Foxkit had been admonished harshly by Shellsong a second time, and their fathers kept a close eye on them around camp. It had begun to feel like a constricting prison, and Thrushkit could tell that Foxkit was feeling the same thing.
Frostpaw and Goldenpaw had been of no comfort. They had reassured Icestar that Rosepaw's disappearance was temporary, and that this was one of "her antics." However, no trace of their sister had been found yet. What if she got killed by that dog that we encountered? Thrushkit thought miserably. Now there was no one to play with except Cinderkit and her littermates. However, they constantly annoyed him by complaining about Grayfern and Stonekit, and yesterday he had finally run away for some privacy.
"Today's your big day," said Shellsong gently, giving Thrushkit a groom. He didn't bother to run away, and instead closed his eyes as he felt his mother's warm tongue rasping down his back.
"Rosepaw's not here," said Thrushkit gloomily. Sadness weighed down upon him like Blazekit when they tussled; he could not lift it from him, nor did he want to. I just want to know where she is.
"Let all those old enough to chase rabbits join me for a Clan meeting!" yowled Icestar's voice from the clearing.
"Go, Thrushkit!" said Shellsong urgently, pelting past him. "Flamewolf will find you. Frostpaw and Goldenpaw still haven't been groomed, I've got to see them. Proud of you!"
Somewhat baffled by the sudden noise of warriors moving to congregate in the clearing, Thrushkit stumbled slightly and followed a squealing Cinderkit into the mass. Icestar was sitting on a large rock, towering above them all, his eyes sweeping across the Clan. He smiled in recognition of the kits, and Blazekit let out a loud holler.
"HI ICESTAR!"
Frostpaw and Goldenpaw turned to glare at her, and beside her Thrushkit flattened his ears. Calm down, furball! It's just a ceremony.
"No fair," grumbled a voice behind them. Foxkit had caught up with Stonekit beside him, who looked smug.
"It's okay," said Emberkit gently. "Your time will come."
"In three moons!"
"May I have everyone's attention?" Icestar said, and everyone fell quiet. "The time has come for kits and apprentices to move forward. Although we mourn the loss of Rosepaw-- and though we cannot consider her dead-- we will hold a memory vigil for her tonight. I pray that she will show up again. But we have ceremonies to perform today, and we cannot wait any longer.
"These kits have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to become apprentices. Cinderkit, step forward."
Cinderkit glanced back at all of them, her face shining in excitement, and with a small squeal, bounced forward. Icestar's eyes were light and amused.
"You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cinderpaw. Timberwolf, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Cinderpaw."
I hope I get Flamewolf!
"Blazekit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Blazepaw. Brackenheart, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Blazepaw.
"Emberkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Emberpaw. Junipertail, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Emberpaw.
"Stonekit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Stonepaw. Flamewolf, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Stonepaw."
No!
"Thrushkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Thrushpaw. Rubbleclaw, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Thrushpaw."
He doesn't look friendly, Thrushpaw thought, as an unsmiling gray tom stepped forward. Thrushpaw forced himself to press his nose to Rubbleclaw's, and gave him a nervous smile.
"And now," said Icestar, pulling them both back into the meeting, "onto the warrior ceremonies. These apprentices have trained extremely hard, and have all passed their assessments. Anyone would be foolish to not give them their due ceremonies. Lakepaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Lakepounce. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Frostpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Frostberry. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Goldenpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Goldenfox. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan."
"What!" Thrushpaw heard Frostberry whisper furiously. "Your name's so much better than mine!"
"Stop being so rude!" hissed Lakepounce from beside them. "You should be glad Icestar even gave you one!"
"Kitepaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Kitepaw. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Shadowpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Shadowfox. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan." Icestar's blue eyes swept the Clan once more. "Congratulations to all of you. This meeting is over, and everyone is dismissed. Thank you."
"If Rosepaw were here, she would've gotten her name, too," said Thrushpaw.
"Aw, lighten up," said Blazepaw. "We're apprentices now! If we go into the territory, maybe we can find her."
True. And Stonepaw still got Flamewolf. Ugh, he's going to be even more smug now.
"You're not doing it right, Thrushpaw," said Rubbleclaw in frustration.
"It's early," yawned Thrushpaw, stretching. "I'm sorry. I think I'm just tired."
"No you're not. We get up around the same time everyday," snapped Rubbleclaw. "Now, try again. Hunting crouch. I've seen you do it perfectly. What's going on?"
"Rosepaw," Thrushpaw muttered under his breath. Rubbleclaw's eyes softened, and Thrushpaw felt a spike of annoyance. I don't want sympathy right now. Can we just get onto whatever we need to do and finish it?
"Well, I'll give it to you easy today," said Rubbleclaw.
"No," snapped Thrushpaw. Flattening his ears, he backed down. "Sorry. I mean, please, let's go on. It'll probably take my mind off of her anyway."
"Thrushpaw, would you show us some warrior moves?" the new kits bounced up with their eyes wide, followed by Featherkit and her siblings, who hung back warily, but obviously couldn't help their curiosity.
"Not now, Doekit," said Thrushkit tiredly. "I'm busy."
"Oh." Doekit's ears drooped, and her brother Deerkit looked crestfallen. Thrushpaw's tense shoulders sagged, and his hard, dull stare evaporated. I sound like Rosepaw when I asked her to play with me.
"Fine," he said in exasperation. They perked up, and Thrushpaw lead them to the edge of the clearing. But he hadn't walked two steps when Deerkit let out a loud yowl.
"Thrushpaw's teaching us warrior moves!"
"What?"
"Can I see?"
"Wait for me!"
"Who's Thrushpaw?"
"Great StarClan," he muttered under his breath. Featherkit, Birchkit, and Brownkit instantly shot out of the nursery and skidded to a stop beside Deerkit and Doekit. A sixth kit whom Thrushpaw didn't know yet peeked his head out, but a lazy voice called him back.
"It's probably not good, Sunkit, come back. You can do it yourself in six moons. I've got another idea that's more fun," said Foxkit's voice. Thrushpaw gnashed his teeth, and Sunkit let out an "okay!" and disappeared.
"Er, well, here's the hunting crouch," said Thrushpaw, showing the spectating kits.
"Wow! So everytime you hunt, you have to get into that crouch?" asked Deerkit, tilting his head. "Does it hurt to hold that position for so long?"
"You get used to it," muttered Thrushpaw.
"Your haunches are too high," said a lofty voice behind them. All of them whipped around to see Goldenfox standing there. Thrushpaw hastily stood up.
"I'm still working on it," he said carefully, shifting his paws.
"Well, keep that in mind."
"Was that Goldenfox?" asked Doekit, peering up at Thrushpaw. "Why do you look so scared? He's your brother."
"I'm not scared," Thrushpaw retorted hotly. "He just got me by surprise, all right?"
Last Edit: Jul 23, 2016 18:10:20 GMT -6 by Earth Hearted
Profile picture credit to the amazing Sentinel. c:
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Post by Earth Hearted on Jul 23, 2016 18:11:21 GMT -6
Chapter 6
"Thrushpaw."
"Mphm."
"Thrushpaw."
"Not now..."
"Thrushpaw!" snarled the voice. Thrushpaw felt a paw roughly shaking him, and he woke up, feeling quite rattled. Goldenfox's impatient and frustrated face swam into view. Frostberry stood behind him, looking quite bored. Thrushpaw's stomach almost melted clean away. I'm scared of my own brothers.
"What?" he asked tensely.
"Icestar wants you at the Gathering tonight," drawled Frostberry, cutting across Goldenfox as he opened his mouth.
"I don't want to go," Thrushpaw said automatically. He'd been feeling so lonely without Rosepaw that nothing seemed to be functioning the way he wanted to. He'd missed two mice yesterday out hunting, and had only returned with a pitifully small baby shrew; his brothers had noticed immediately.
"Okay, whatever." they left, and Thrushpaw slumped down into his nest.
"You don't want to go to the Gathering?" exclaimed Cinderpaw from her corner in the den. "Why?"
"Don't feel like it, okay?" Thrushpaw snapped. Cinderpaw looked a bit hurt, and Thrushpaw regretted unleashing his pent-up anger towards her. However, he found himself not able to apologize. "Just leave me alone. Please."
"We're only trying to help," Emberpaw said gently, moving to touch his shoulder with her tail tip. Thrushpaw shrugged it off roughly. "Look, I appreciate all the concern. But just let me think through this, and get over the mountain by myself, all right? Do me a favor, and go to the Gathering."
Silence fell upon the apprentices' den. Closing his eyes, Thrushpaw heaved a sigh, then opened them, staring dully into the space in front of him. I just want to know where you are, Rosepaw. Please come back. It's not the same without you. He heard the shuffling of paws as Cinderpaw and Emberpaw clambered up to leave, passing his peripheral vision briefly. However, Thrushpaw hadn't even blinked when Stonepaw padded inside, throwing a half-interested glance at him.
"What's up?" he said carelessly. Thrushpaw shrugged. "You're boring."
"Thank you, I've noticed."
"Heard you weren't going to the Gathering tonight."
"You heard right," grunted Thrushpaw, getting more and more irritated. "What's your point?"
"Don't have one." Stonepaw settled into his nest next to Thrushpaw. "Just gotta rest for the big Gathering tonight. Icestar's going to be announcing our names, you know. It would be a shame to be absent."
"I'll take it," grumbled Thrushpaw, turning away from the other tom.
"There were so many cats!"
"That SunsetClan apprentice was cute."
"Do you think we'll be able to go to the next Gathering?"
Thrushpaw's eyes were closed, but he could hear Cinderpaw and her siblings padding in, chatting excitedly.
"How was it?" asked Newtpaw, one of the older apprentices.
"It was so fun!" gushed Cinderpaw, her voice laced with excitement. "I can't wait to go again!"
"Eh, it was too loud, in my opinion," muttered Stonepaw. The other she-cats ignored him. Thrushpaw heard the moss nests shift as the other apprentices settled in. His ears twitched in annoyance as continued to Emberpaw and Cinderpaw exchanged quiet whispers.
"Can you two shut up?" snapped Stonepaw from beside Thrushpaw.
Shut up yourself.
"Hey," snarled Blazepaw from the other end of the den, "that's not nice. They're just talking quietly."
"Well, talk in the morning!"
"Sorry," said Emberpaw.
"Whatever."
"Can't you be little nicer?" Cinderpaw asked bitterly.
"I can't if you three are so annoying all the time," retorted Stonepaw.
Thrushpaw's patience snapped. His temper had been rising like a bubble for the whole day, and now they were disturbing his quiet time. "All of you, go stuff your mouths with moss!" Rising out of his own nest, he cast a glare at the apprentices in the den. Skypaw squeaked and jerked out of her light slumber, and the other older apprentices stayed quiet. All eyes were on him, and in the silence, he backed off. "Just try to be quiet, okay? Please. I'm trying to sleep, and so is everyone else. Discuss in the morning. It's not like you'll see any of those cats anytime soon." Thrushpaw sank back into his nest and turned his back.
A tense silence hung in the air of the apprentices' den for the rest of the night.
"Thrushpaw? I'd like you on a patrol with Robincall, Squirrelflame, and Goldenfox, please."
"Fine," muttered Thrushpaw. Moonclaw narrowed her eyes at him, but said nothing more. He passed the WhisperClan deputy awkwardly, and quickly followed behind Goldenfox as the patrol started to leave.
"Doing well, Thrushpaw?" Robincall asked lightly from the head of the patrol.
Not wanting to seem weak and depressed in front of Goldenfox, Thrushpaw replied with a lame "yeah."
Clearing his throat, Robincall stopped suddenly. "Erm, I think we'd better split up," he said, with a knowing glance at Goldenfox, who looked back expressionlessly. "Uh, I'll go to the Mouse Ridge with Squirrelflame. Goldenfox, you can go with Thrushpaw to the Slopes."
Goldenfox padded away silently, and Thrushpaw trailed away from him. Is there a reason Robincall's doing this?
The two brothers walked side-by-side, heading quietly for the Slopes. Neither of them said a word. Reaching the Slopes, Goldenfox marked the border, and they stood there, looking across the StormClan border. This is awkward. Thrushpaw shuffled his paws. Goldenfox was staring hard at the rival Clan's territory, a dangerous but amused look in his eyes.
There was a pregnant pause in between them. Then-
"So you haven't heard."
"Heard what?" asked Thrushpaw, startled at the sudden speech. "Um-"
"Right. You weren't at the Gathering yesterday."
Don't gloat. I've heard enough about the stupid Gathering.
"I know where your sister is," Goldenfox continued, almost gleefully.
Your sister? I thought she was our sister. "Where?" Thrushpaw blurted out, leaning forward. Goldenfox smirked. "Look across the border."
"What?"
Goldenfox's smirk grew into a scowl. "The little squirrel ran across the border," he snarled, his claws scraping the ground, tearing up grass. He looked dangerous again, and Thrushpaw backed away. "To StormClan. She's Rosetail now. What a coward."
What? She... she ran away to StormClan? And she just abandoned me? "Hey. You and Frostberry are the ones who caused her to do that," he snapped, feeling angry at his brother once more. Who did they think they are? Leaders? "You two neglected her her whole life, and made her feel useless! You never even stopped to consider your sister!"
"We saw her for what she was the moment she was born," snapped Goldenfox, towering over Thrushpaw. He leaned down and thrusted his face into Thrushpaw's, who hastily backed away. Goldenfox's white teeth showed as he growled. "A weakling. She was born weak, and will always be weak. StormClan's a weak Clan for taking in such a runt. And you know what you were? A runt, too. So you better prove yourself better than her. I'm actually going to give you a chance. Because we and WhisperClan have no space or time for weaklings and cowards."
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Leader:Icestar (originally Fangstar) [Sand]-- Large white tom with piercing blue eyes Deputy:Moonclaw-- Silver she-cat APPRENTICE, FOXPAW Medicine cat:Twigtail-- Skinny brown tabby tom with green eyes. APPRENTICE, ALDERPAW Warriors:Snowfall-- White tom with ginger patches and yellow-green eyes. Flamewolf-- Large ginger-and-white tom with yellow-green eyes. APPRENTICE, STONEPAW Junipertail-- Russet-colored she-cat APPRENTICE, EMBERPAW Oaknight-- Fluffy brown tabby tom with green eyes. Moleclaw-- Dark brown tom with green eyes. Sunrye-- Dark ginger tabby tom Rubbleclaw [Lionhearted]-- Pale gray tom with amber eyes. APPRENTICE, THRUSHPAW Tawnyflower-- Tortoiseshell she-cat APPRENTICE, BIRCHPAW
Swiftblossom-- Silver she-cat Pinetail-- Russet she-cat Aspenheart-- Russet tom Squirrelflame-- Pale ginger tom Shrikestorm-- Pale gray tabby tom Specklestorm-- Dappled she-cat Brightbriar-- Gray tabby she-cat with bright green eyes. Fallenhawk-- White tom Runningwolf-- Large black tom Thornblaze-- Golden brown tabby tom. Tigerdapple-- Dappled dark ginger she-cat Weaselfire-- Fawn colored tom Grasstalon-- Large brown tabby tom Bristlepelt-- Spiky-furred black-and-white tom Robincall-- Tortoiseshell she-cat Timberwolf-- Brown tom with yellow eyes APPRENTICE, CINDERPAW Eaglestrike-- Brown tabby tom with amber eyes Swift-tail-- Gray tom Badgerstripe-- Large dark brown tom Vixenfire-- Gray she-cat APPRENTICE, BROWNPAW Thistletail-- Messy-furred brown tom with yellow eyes. Shellsong-- Pale ginger she-cat with green eyes. Bramblefur-- Tabby tom APPRENTICE, FEATHERPAW Larkblaze-- Fawn colored she-cat Brackenheart-- Creme colored she-cat APPRENTICE, BLAZEPAW Shadowfox (originally Wolfshadow) [Amber]-- Large black tom with yellow eyes. Goldenfox[Lionhearted]-- Ginger tom with patches of white. Frostberry[Lionhearted]-- White tom Lakepounce[Lionhearted]-- Tortoiseshell she-cat Kiteheart-- Dark brown tabby tom Badgerstrike-- Black-and-white tom Gingerleaf-- Golden brown tom
Skywillow-- Pale gray she-cat with golden eyes. Newtclaw-- Ginger she-cat Windwing-- Silver Bengal she-cat Daisyfur-- White she-cat Wrenflight-- Ginger she-cat Apprentices:Alderpaw (originally Cedarpaw) [Heatherpaw]-- Fawn colored tom with green eyes Cinderpaw [Ambrose]-- Long-furred mottled silver-gray she-cat Emberpaw[Wolf]-- Long-furred mottled she-cat with gray, orange, and black patches Blazepaw [Puddlesdog]-- Long-furred ginger she-cat Stonepaw [Queen Jay]-- Short-furred dark gray-silver tom Foxpaw [Icestorm]-- Russet-ginger tom Featherpaw [Clemintine]-- White she-cat with green eyes Birchpaw-- Light brown-and-white tabby tom Brownpaw-- White tom with brown tabby spots Queens:Grayfern-- Silver she-cat Leafwhisker-- Brown tabby she-cat (mother of Doekit [Heron] and Deerkit). Hazel-lark-- Fawn-colored she-cat (mother of Lightningkit [Anya], Thunderkit, and Sweekit). Appleleaf-- Russet she-cat (mother of Adderkit [Carotius]) Larchhaven-- Small ginger-and-white she-cat (mother of Sunkit [Skiv]) Brighteye-- White she-cat with yellow eyes and an orange creme muzzle (mother of Dawnkit [Wolf], Duskkit, Cloudkit, Moonkit, and Tallkit). Elders:Lichenfeather-- Creme colored she-cat. Hawkdapple-- Tortoiseshell she-cat.
MidnightClan
Leader: Bramblestar [Legit]-- Large brown tom with yellow eyes Deputy:Gorsewhisker-- Ginger tom Medicine cat:Scorchflower-- Black-and-white she-cat Warriors: Spottedtuft-- Gray-and-white she-cat Waterflame-- Blue-gray tom Tawnyfur-- Calico she-cat Fawnflower-- Fawn colored she-cat Ashstep [Frost]-- Gray she-cat Queens:Rainpelt-- Gray-and-white she-cat (mother of Nettlekit, Sharpkit, and Firekit).
StormClan
Leader:Goldenstar [Lightningtrail]-- Golden brown she-cat Deputy:Riverpelt (originally Smokeshade) [Stormsy]-- Blue-gray tom Medicine cat:Smokeclaw-- Smoky gray tom with amber eyes. Warriors:Talltree-- Tabby tom Firestep-- Ginger tom Owlclaw-- Dark brown tom APPRENTICE, RIVERPAW Rosetail [Lionhearted]-- Ginger she-cat Yellowfish-- Pale golden-brown she-cat with amber eyes. Shrikefeather-- Silver-gray tom with rings of black Fishleap-- Black-and-white striped tabby tom Shadedmoss-- Black she-cat Stonetail-- Bulky brown she-cat Echostorm-- Gray she-cat Chivehawk-- Gray-and-white tom Slightclaw-- Calico she-cat Hootwing-- Tabby tom Sunnycreek-- Pale ginger she-cat Apprentices:Riverpaw-- Blue-gray tom Queens:Birdpelt-- Small ginger-and-white she-cat (mother of Finchkit [Wolf], Kestrelkit, and Kitekit)
LeafClan
Leader:Whitestar (originally Froststar) [Lemonade]-- White tom Deputy:Goldenflame [Deku]-- Small golden-brown she-cat Medicine cat:Redheart-- Russet tom APPRENTICE, BLOSSOMPAW Warriors:Jaggedclaw-- Black-and-white tom APPRENTICE, WILLOWPAW Ryepatch-- Light brown she-cat APPRENTICE, WEASELPAW Cherryclaw--Mottled she-cat Beetleheart-- Blue-gray tom Brownpatch-- Calico-and-white she-cat Whitefrost-- White she-cat Chivetail-- White tom with brown splotches Hawkfur-- Tabby tom with amber eyes Moonblossom-- Silver she-cat APPRENTICE, SNAILPAW Harepounce-- Light gray tom with white tail tip and paws
Apprentices:Willowpaw [Ambrose]-- Chocolate-and-white she-cat Weaselpaw-- Fawn-colored tom with green eyes
SunsetClan
Leader:Ratstar [Acro]-- Small dappled she-cat Deputy:Applefur-- Calico she-cat Medicine cat:Bluehawk-- Blue-gray tabby tom APPRENTICE, DAWNPAW Warriors:Branchflight-- Light brown tom Mudstripe-- Dark tabby tom with bright yellow eyes. Darkshade-- Dark tabby she-cat Shellsplash-- Creme colored tom Yarrowtail-- Black tom APPRENTICE, HAWKPAW Vineheart [Lunar]-- Tabby she-cat Palehawk-- Pale brown tom
Apprentices:Hawkpaw-- Tabby tom
TalonClan
Leader:Pebblestar [Clemintine]-- Spotted she-cat
Deputy:Briarclaw [Midnight]-- Calico she-cat APPRENTICE, NIGHTPAW (black she-cat) Medicine cat:Duskflame [Glorilyss]-- Brown-and-white she-cat Warriors:Bluefire-- Blue-gray tom Queens:Flowerbird-- White she-cat (mother of Thistlekit [Carotius] and Thornkit)
Cats outside Clans
Bravado-- Large white tom Flower-- White she-cat
Chapter 7
Season: Early leaf-fall
"Let those old enough to catch rabbits join me for a Clan meeting!"
Another ceremony? For who this time...? Oh, for StarClan's sake. Thrushpaw bit back a sigh as he saw Foxkit running up in excitement. He's going to be an apprentice! No, StarClan help me! I can't live with him again!
"More ceremonies are due today!" said Icestar jovially. "We will begin with the apprentice ceremonies. These kits have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to begin training. Foxkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Foxpaw. Moonclaw, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Foxpaw."
"What in the name of StarClan?" whispered Stonepaw furiously, voicing Thrushpaw's thoughts. "He gets the deputy?"
Foxpaw looked as if he'd put in effort to hide his glee. His face was mostly expressionless, but could not hide the obvious excitement of being an apprentice. He greeted Moonclaw by pressing his nose to hers, and they moved off to the side.
"Featherkit, step forward," Icestar continued. "You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Featherpaw. Bramblefur, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Featherpaw.
"Birchkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Birchpaw. Tawnyflower, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Birchpaw.
"Brownpaw, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Brownpaw. Vixenfire, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Brownpaw.
"And now," Icestar continued, as Brownpaw bounced away, "onto the warrior ceremonies. Badgerpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Badgerstrike. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Gingerpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Gingerleaf. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Skypaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Skywillow. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Newtpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Newtclaw. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Windpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Windwing. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Well, that's it," Icestar concluded. "My personal congratulations. And, as informal ceremonies, we welcome Doekit, Deerkit, Lightningkit, Thunderkit, Sweetkit, Adderkit, Sunkit, Dawnkit, Duskkit, Moonkit, Cloudkit, and Tallkit into WhisperClan! Meeting dismissed."
Thrushpaw scowled as he watched his denmates crowd around the new apprentices. If I have to be stuck with Foxpaw in the same den for ten moons, I'll go mad! "Congratulations on becoming what everyone will become," he said curtly, cutting in briefly, not wanting to be left out of the group.
"Wow, be a little nicer," said Emberpaw, frowning.
"Yeah, what happened to you?" asked Blazepaw, looking him up and down. "What happened to the Thrushpaw we liked?"
"Whatever. I came to say 'good job' and this is what I get," he snapped. And getting yelled at in front of Stonepaw and Foxpaw.
Stonepaw made a scoffing noise and turned his nose up. Foxpaw blinked but remained impassive. Emberpaw glared at her brother.
"Same goes for you," she growled. "You're not being any nicer or politer than him."
Stonepaw shrugged. "Why do you care?"
"I'm leaving," Thrushpaw said, his impatience getting the better of him again. Featherpaw and her littermates were looking at them curiously. We're not setting a good example for them, you mouse-brains. At least Featherpaw wasn't an annoying furball.
"Push those hind legs!" barked Rubbleclaw from the starting line. Thrushpaw gritted his teeth and ran faster, enjoying the feeling the wind was having on his fur. Finally, he stopped at the finish point, a tree, and glanced back at his mentor. "Good. Better! See what happens when you really push yourself forward? You get power! Now come back here and try it again!"
Thrushpaw trotted back. Rubbleclaw was even smiling a little. "You've got talent, young'un," he said encouragingly. "Lots of potential, especially for speed. You're light, you're lithe. Keep workin' on those running skills, Thrushpaw, and you may turn into the fastest cat in the Clan one day, once Grasstalon retires," he chuckled. "Now all we need to work on is your fighting skills."
"I thought you said I was pretty good at that, too."
"You're about average, compared to the others," Rubbleclaw corrected. "And there's always room for improvement. You've just got to take the initiative and practice."
Well, I thought I was pretty good.
"Thrushpaw?" Moonclaw padded up. "I want you on a patrol with me, Foxpaw, and Rubbleclaw. We're going to have a mentor-patrol type of thing. You and Foxpaw can bond."
No way! Thrushpaw said nothing to the deputy and nodded instead.
"All right, then. This way. I'm going to be leading." Rubbleclaw was standing at the entrance, in conversation with Foxpaw. As they headed out, Foxpaw and Thrushpaw hung back, walking side-by-side, but staying silent. Foxpaw's head was moving back and forth, taking in the surroundings again. Thrushpaw kept his eyes forward.
"Training going fine so far?" he heard Rubbleclaw ask.
"Oh yes," Moonclaw replied, her tail waving. "Foxpaw is an extremely talented young tom. He is very observant, and always seems to know where he is."
As if!
"Is that so? I hope he fights well; Wrenflight and Russetstripe are among the bravest fighters, next to Flamewolf and Shellsong, that is." The two apprentices saw their mentors glancing back at them briefly. "Thrushpaw is pretty fine, but I'm afraid he still needs some improvement on various areas."
Hey! I'm working on it, thought Thrushpaw, though he knew it was half a lie. He hadn't been putting in much effort, and was still tangled up in his depression.
"Foxpaw has showed potential on day one," said Moonclaw proudly. Thrushpaw felt a spike of annoyance; Moonclaw always seemed to be high and mighty. Fox-faced deputy! "He's moving forward very quickly. I'm actually thinking he'll be ready for the basic beginnings of the two-on-one attack in a few days."
WHAT? thought Thrushpaw, feeling alarmed. He's only been an apprentice for a moon. That's not fair!
"Really?" he couldn't help but ask. Foxpaw nodded and shrugged.
"Training's not hard. At least not for me. You just have to work hard," he said, as if it was the easiest thing in the world.
Work hard. Right.
"Rubbleclaw, could you maybe practice fighting with me?" asked Thrushpaw, approaching his mentor. He'd just gotten back to camp after an entire morning of training. I've got to catch up to Foxpaw. I can't let him become a warrior before me!
"Not now," said Rubbleclaw gently, "I've got to go lead a patrol. Ask one of the apprentices."
"Okay." Swallowing his disappointment, he padded to the apprentices' den to look for Blazepaw, who he knew was always up for a good fight. I hope she still likes me.
However, as he approached the apprentices' den, there was a small crowd of curious warriors standing at the entrance. Loud voices could be heard from inside, and Thrushpaw recognized Blazepaw's loud mew, and Stonepaw's angry growl.
"Really? Really? What did I do to deserve this?!" Stonepaw was saying in disbelief, his voice laced with hatred.
"You were always loved, always fawned upon," shrieked Blazepaw. Thrushpaw joined the warriors watching.
"What's going on?" he asked Newtclaw.
"Little bit of sibling conflict," she replied, shrugging. Thrushpaw looked over Badgerstripe's shoulder and frowned in disbelief.
The apprentices' den's ground was splattered with blood. Stonepaw was bleeding all over, and Blazepaw had her head turned away. Twigtail and Alderpaw hovered over them, both looking extremely annoyed and exasperated. Cinderpaw and Emberpaw were standing to the side, both pulling on impassive and emotionless faces.
"Where's Icestar?" asked Badgerstripe sharply. Uh-oh. Thrushpaw examined the scenery. Both Blazepaw's and Stonepaw's claws were bloody. From the dialogue he'd heard, it didn't take a kit to deduce that Blazepaw had deliberately attacked Stonepaw.
"There is no need to tell Icestar about this," said a cool new voice. "He is at StormClan, dealing with another warrior." Rosetail, thought Thrushpaw. Moonclaw stood at the side, her eyes cold. Blazepaw and Stonepaw ceased their arguing, terrified looks stretching over both their faces. Cinderpaw was standing with her mouth slightly open, looking dumbstruck, while Emberpaw looked extremely uncomfortable. I always knew the sisters hated Stonepaw! For what reason?
"Blazepaw," Moonclaw began, somehow conveying white-hot fury without raising her voice. "What you did was uncalled for and low. You had absolutely no reason to attack Stonepaw like that. You deliberately tried to kill your own brother, denmate, and Clanmate. None of this is acceptable. None of this is acceptable. After you are treated, you will see me immediately." Turning to Stonepaw, her hard gaze did not soften. Thrushpaw heard Newtclaw gulp. None of them had seen the deputy like this. Perhaps Icestar had a good reason for picking Moonclaw as his second. "I understand you were defending yourself. But as Blazepaw had no reason to attack you, you had no reason to claw out her eye. You could've killed her, too."
What did he do? thought Thrushpaw in alarm. He glanced at Stonepaw, who was seething at Moonclaw silently through an unhidden scowl. For the first time, he saw Stonepaw as a potential danger. Maybe he's not just an arrogant furball. Two mice says he could murder someone in the future!
"Never have I been more ashamed of WhisperClan apprentices," Moonclaw continued angrily. "You will also see me in my den after I talk to Blazepaw. True warriors have no reason to kill. Skywillow, Windwing, escort them to the medicine cat den." Silently, she stalked away, leaving a silence hanging in the air. Slowly, warriors began to drift away. The two she-cats called out by Moonclaw stepped forward and supported the two apprentices, and they padded away, Twigtail and Alderpaw trailing after them, muttering.
"Don't eavesdrop," said a voice in Thrushpaw's ear. Foxpaw slipped past him and disappeared, leaving Thrushpaw to realize he was standing in the middle of the family. Grayfern, Aspenheart, Pinetail, and Swiftblossom all had the same embarrassed and shocked expressions on their faces. Cinderpaw and Emberpaw shrank into the shadows. Muttering a quick apology, Thrushpaw followed Foxpaw away into the clearing. At least my brothers don't go out-of-their-way to kill me.
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Post by Earth Hearted on Jul 23, 2016 18:19:14 GMT -6
Chapter 8
"Thrushpaw."
Thrushpaw turned, the fur on his back raised, his face knit into a scowl, ready to snap at whoever was disturbing his practice time. However, his face frowned in surprise as Moonclaw approached. Stonepaw stood in the other end of the Training Clearing, waiting, looking mildly interested.
"Yes?"
"Tonight is the Gathering. Icestar would like for you to go this time," she said, somewhat crisply. That sounds more like an order.
"All right, fine," he muttered, not looking at her.
"Who else is going?" Stonepaw asked.
"Well, he wants all the new apprentices to go, and the ones who haven't yet," Moonclaw replied, implying that he wasn't invited. Stonepaw huffed as she disappeared. "I'll tell Icestar, then. Continue practicing."
"Er..." Thrushpaw flicked his tail. "Shall we continue?"
"Okay." Stonepaw shrugged indifferently and crouched again. "Why're so onto this right now? Got over your sister, did you?"
Thrushpaw scowled again at Stonepaw's lack of sensitivity. "I just want to be a good warrior." It was half true. I just need to catch up to Foxpaw. He's not going to one-up me. No way. Not as long as I'm alive.
Stonepaw smirked. "Right."
"Oh my StarClan, the Gathering's going to be so big!" Featherpaw said, breathing rapidly. Thrushpaw couldn't tell if she was excited or nervous. "It's all so exciting! But what if I screw up?"
"How can you screw up?" snorted Foxpaw.
"I don't know. But what if I do?" said Featherpaw frantically. Thrushpaw rolled his eyes and said nothing. This is getting annoying. Why can't they just talk outside?
"Cats of the Gathering, we're leaving!" Icestar yowled from outside. Thrushpaw's heart leapt for the first time. Admittedly, he was excited, too. What if I see Rosetail? Birchpaw and Foxpaw fell into step beside him, and they joined the stream of cats moving out of the entrance.
The sky was still light, but the walk was long. By the time they had reached the so-called Pond of Truce, the moon had already risen high into the sky, and the stars glittered overhead. Icestar timed it well. I guess it just comes with experience.
Two Clans were already there. Thrushpaw wrinkled his nose; both smelled of water; one Clan stank of the sea, and the other of the river. SunsetClan and StormClan, then. They both swim, don't they?
"Greetings, Icestar." Thrushpaw looked across the pond to see Icestar breaking away from the rest of the warriors, and making his way across the water by using stepping stones. Two leaders already sat on an island: a small and petite dappled she-cat with a slim, angular face like a rodent's. I'll give ten mice to say she's Ratstar of SunsetClan. The other she-warrior looked sturdier, and had a light golden-brown coat.
"Goldenstar!" Icestar replied, touching noses with the she-cat. Dipping his head to the dappled one, he greeted, "Ratstar."
I was right!
"Well, Icestar, budge up there," said a friendly voice as Thrushpaw shouldered his way to the river shore to get a better view. Another white tom, taller than Icestar, approached the leaders.
"Whitestar! That means LeafClan's here," someone said, moving forward and shoving Thrushpaw down.
"Hey," he snapped. "Watch it."
"Need a paw?" asked a new voice politely. Thrushpaw groaned and looked up to see an unfamiliar tabby she-cat grinning down at him. She looked quite young, but her face was already adorned with a few scars. Sitting down, she extended a paw, and Thrushpaw heaved himself up.
"Thanks," he muttered, feeling embarrassed. She had a sea scent on him; obviously SunsetClan.
"Sorry about Branchflight back there," said the she-cat apologetically. "He can be really careless sometimes."
"Tell me about it," Thrushpaw grumped. "We have the same type of cats in WhisperClan."
"I think they're everywhere." The she-cat smiled softly again, which was starting to annoy Thrushpaw. I bet she's a goody two-paws. "What's your name, anyway?"
"Thrushpaw," he replied.
The brown tabby tilted her head in a questioning look, remaining silent.
"...er, what about yours?"
"Vineheart," she said immediately, with an air of pride, her smile stretching. "Is this your first time?"
"To a Gathering, you mean? Yes, yes it is."
An awkward pause. Vineheart blinked and smiled.
Thrushpaw bit back a sigh. "And what about you?"
"Fourth time," she replied. Bet you were just waiting to say that--
"Ouch!" she cried, falling forward. Thrushpaw stumbled back just in time to avoid her falling on him. "Omph!"
He stood there awkwardly for a moment, then smirked. Looks like we've switched places. "Need a paw?" he teased lightly, offering his. Vineheart rolled her eyes but smiled again, and shook her head.
"No, I'm fine," she said, standing and brushing herself off. I could've done that. They both peered past her to see who had knocked her over. A gray she-cat widened her eyes apologetically, her ears flat on her head in embarrassment. Giving her chest a few licks, she exclaimed,
"Oh StarClan, I'm really sorry! I hope you aren't hurt! Oh- oh hey, Vinepaw. How are you?" asked the she-cat, grinning widely. There's so much smiling going on! Is this a she-cat thing, or what?
"Hi Ashpaw!" Vineheart exclaimed joyously, and the two rushed forward to touch noses and brush shoulders. "And it's Vineheart! I got my warrior name just a quarter-moon ago!"
"Wow!" Ashpaw exclaimed. "I got mine, too! Ashstep."
"Congratulations!"
"You too!"
"Can you believe it? We're both warriors now!"
"Our first Gathering as warriors! I'm excited!"
"Same!"
"Great StarClan," Thrushpaw grumbled, turning away from them. I'll just let them keep squealing with excitement. Believe me, that's not going to be me when I get my name. He came face to face with another she-cat, who had also chosen to turn around at the exact second. He looked at her group; Foxpaw was at the center, surrounded by Cinderpaw and her siblings, and a couple of other apprentices from other Clans. He glanced towards the island; five Clans had arrived: Bramblestar of MidnightClan had joined the rest of the leaders.
He looks tough. The she-leaders were dwarfed easily by the tom-leaders, who all seemed to be looming over them. However, they all looked extremely official and radiated with an aura of superiority.
"That'll be me one day," said a voice. Thrushpaw turned his head to see the she-cat he'd saw in the apprentice group, a chocolate-and-white cat, talking to him.
"What Clan are you?" Thrushpaw asked rather rudely. "I'm from WhisperClan." He didn't want another Vineheart waiting for him to ask questions. "Oh yeah. What's your name?"
The she-cat blinked at his awkwardness, then replied slowly, "I'm Willowpaw, from LeafClan. And you forgot to tell me your name," she added, sounding amused.
"Thrushpaw," he answered, feeling a bit stupid. "Er... um, have you uh, been to a Gathering before?"
"Yeah, once."
Jeez. Everyone's gone! Except Foxpaw and those other apprentices. Brownpaw, or whatever.
"This is my first time," he rushed, without waiting for her. Uh-oh. I'm out of questions. He shuffled his paws awkwardly. This was the first time in moons he'd had a conversation with anyone. Suddenly, he wished he had stayed at camp again. Nervously, he glanced around. Is Rosetail here?
"Are you okay?" asked Willowpaw, gazing into his face and sounding genuinely concerned.
"I'm fine," he said, half-snapping. He was tired of them asking. Willowpaw looked slightly hurt, and he realized that she didn't know his problems back home. "Sorry," he said again, looking away. "I'm... uh, problems back home. I'm not used to this talking sort of stuff."
"Oh," she said emptily, implying that she didn't accept his excuse. "Well, I can tell by the disheveled fur, hehe."
Thrushpaw reached a paw into his head and patted his fur, embarrassed to discover he had forgotten to groom after he'd left his nest. "Oh, jeez. I'm sorry," he mumbled, quickly giving himself some licks. Willowpaw, on the other hand, looked perfectly neat and prim.
"It's okay. It's cute on you," she teased, mussing up the fur on his head with a paw. He resisted the urge to scowl, but he suddenly felt he couldn't get mad at her. She was trying to be a friend. Scooching closer, she tilted her head at him. "What do you like to do?"
"Um..." Thrushpaw trailed off, thinking hard. These days of lying and feeling sad had not found him any happiness. What do I like to do? What did I like to do? Well, I can't say that I liked playing moss-ball as a kit. "U-uh, I like to fight, and stuff." Wait! Rubbleclaw said I'm a natural at running. "But," he continued hurriedly, "my favorite thing is running. You know, WhisperClan blood and all that..."
"Oh," Willowpaw said again. "Well, that's interesting! Not many I know like fighting. My mentor says I need more work on that."
"Same," Thrushpaw added, before he could help himself. "With my mentor, I mean."
She nodded. "I like hunting! It's really fun to chase squirrels up trees and catch birds. But I'm a horrible climber, even though I'm from LeafClan."
"Same," he said again. "I hate heights."
Another nod. "I don't like high places either. The only time I don't really care is when I'm hunting. But even then, I climb really low."
"There's no trees in our place, so we can't really climb. I've only climbed a small one in camp."
Pause.
"Uh... you said you liked hunting? We... have only rabbits and mice in the meadow, so we have to run after them instead of climbing trees."
"That sounds hard."
"So does climbing," he threw back.
"Believe me, it is." They shared a laugh. "Do you swim?"
"No, we only have a pond in camp where everyone drinks, so no one's allowed to go in there. What about you?"
"Scared of drowning. We have a Mossy Pool in our territory, and me and my sister Whitefrost tried going for a dip, and we both couldn't do it. Too shallow."
This conversation is going surprisingly well, and flowing nicely, too.
Willowpaw seemed to be on the same thought. "See, you can talk!" she exclaimed happily, touching his shoulder with her tail tip.
"You pulled it out me," he said, smiling shyly. "Thanks, hehe, I guess?"
"Anytime!" she said, grinning broadly. She was now sitting so close to him that he could feel their sides touching. Oookay. Leaning close, she whispered, "say, would you like to meet again--"
"Warriors! The Gathering has begun!" yowled a thundering voice. Thrushpaw's half-amused, half-disappointed feeling was mirrored on Willowpaw's face as they turned to look at Bramblestar, who had stood up. A third she-cat, also quite small, had arrived on the island: Pebblestar of TalonClan. Bramblestar's voice was deep and gruff, and Thrushpaw kept a note in his head not to tick the large tabby off. The MidnightClan's leader's sharp, hawk-like yellow eyes roved lazily over the silent warrior before he opened his mouth. "I will start the Gathering with MidnightClan's news. Leaf-fall has come, but the prey is staying. We are plenty healthy and doing very well. We have a new warrior: Ashstep. However, there has been a white loner spotted on our territory. We don't know who he is, but a patrol described him as thus: 'he is large in size, with short fur and green eyes.' If anyone happens to know him, or see him, make sure to drive him off. Also, informally, I'd like to welcome Yarrowkit, Briarkit, Brightkit, and Nightkit into the Clan. Thank you."
"Ashstep! Ashstep!" Thrushpaw could hear Vineheart's cheerful voice rising with the crowd as they chanted. He mouthed the name silently, but Willowpaw nudged him in the shoulder and he grudgingly chanted along in a flat, emotionless voice.
"Noted," Whitestar said, as he stepped forward to take Bramblestar's place. "LeafClan has also seen this loner, but he walked away before anyone could step forward to talk to him. We have six new warriors, Whitefrost, Beetleheart, Chivetail, Hawkfur, Moonblossom, and Harepounce! We are thriving, and there are plenty of squirrels and birds to go around. Also, we have two new apprentices, Weaselpaw and Snailpaw! Informally, I'd like to welcome Jumpkit, Shadekit, and Creekkit into LeafClan. That's all!"
"Whitefrost! Beetleheart! Weaselpaw!" Thrushpaw made an effort to chant, as it was Willowpaw's Clan, and he didn't want to seem anymore rude. Her eyes shone as she called out her own Clanmates' name with pride.
"So, Willowpaw. Who's this tom you're sitting so comfortably with?" asked a new voice, as Icestar started to give WhisperClan's news.
"WhisperClan has been doing..."
Thrushpaw turned his head to look at the tom who had slunk in between them, rudely shouldering them aside. Thrushpaw was shoved once more and stumbled a bit, feeling a sudden coldness, while Willowpaw looked shocked.
"Weaselpaw! We were just talking."
"Shh!" a warrior glared at them through narrowed eyes, and Willowpaw's ears flattened.
The moment the warrior's head turned away, Weaselpaw bent over to whisper in Willowpaw's ear. Thrushpaw leaned forward eagerly, but only saw Willowpaw's eyes widen. Weaselpaw glanced at him, smirked, and slipped away, leaving Willowpaw to look taken aback.
"What's wrong?" asked Thrushpaw, beginning to feel genuinely concerned.
"Congratulations, Thrushpaw!" Willowpaw was sitting close to him again.
"O-oh, thanks." He hadn't even realized that Icestar had announced his name. He flashed a wide, fake smile across the river towards his leader, but the white tom had already turned his back, and Ratstar had stepped forward. She made eye contact and tilted her head, giving him a tight smile and a queer look. Awkward.
The rest of the Gathering seemed to go by in a flash. Thrushpaw's pondering of Willowpaw's short exchange with Weaselpaw was disturbed as he forced himself to yowl Vineheart's name.
"Fish are starting to return to the creek," Goldenstar of StormClan was saying, "so we're doing well with prey. There has been that small dog Icestar talked about a while ago spotted running around on our territory. It doesn't seem too dangerous at the moment, but it very well may pose a threat. We have a new apprentice, Riverpaw, and ten new warriors: Yellowfish, Shrikefeather, Fishleap, Shadedmoss, Stonetail, Echostorm, Chivehawk, Slightclaw, Hootwing, and Sunnycreek. Informally, I'd like to welcome Finchkit, Kestrelkit, and Kitekit into StormClan."
As the warriors chanted the new names, Thrushpaw leaned into Willowpaw and asked, "what's going on with Weaselpaw?"
Willowpaw shrugged forcefully, indicating that she didn't want to answer.
"I understand the irritation of someone breathing down my neck all the time," he added in a whisper. Willowpaw smiled softly, and they both turned away as Pebblestar moved to take Goldenstar's place. "Prey is still abundant, but we have already started to see signs of migration of the birds. We are settling in well, and aside from a minor flood in the cave due to a heavy night of rainfall, everything is doing fine. Informally, I'd like to welcome two new kits into TalonClan, Thistlekit and Thornkit."
There was a short but comfortable pause after Pebblestar retreated, and murmurs arose again. The leaders stood up, prepared to leave.
"WhisperClan, to me!" Icestar yowled, jumping onto the shore and heading right.
"It was nice meeting you, Thrushpaw!"
"'Bye, Thrushpaw." Vineheart and Ashstep both flicked his shoulder in friendly manners with their tails, but they had moved away before he could return the farewell. Willowpaw lingered, waiting for her turn.
"Well, er... good-bye, then," he said stiffly, already missing her. She was the first cat in moons to get him to talk.
"'Bye," she replied. Thrushpaw gave her a grim nod and headed off into the shadows, his shoulders sinking, ready for another regular, miserable day.
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Post by Earth Hearted on Jul 23, 2016 18:22:55 GMT -6
Chapter 9
"Thrushpaw, I'd like for you to go fetch some soft grass for the elders please," Rubbleclaw called across the clearing at Thrushpaw, who was eating a thrush alone. Foxpaw, Featherpaw, Cinderpaw, and Blazepaw ate cheerfully in a circle near him, and he had his back turned, his ears folded in an attempt to block out their laughter and gossip. Warrior life had turned dull. He kept thinking back to the Gathering, and his meeting with Willowpaw; that had been the highlight of the moon. There wasn't anyone like Willowpaw in WhisperClan that he knew, who'd gotten him to talk comfortably for the first time since Rosetail's disappearance. Perhaps it was because she was from a different Clan. Or perhaps it was just her.
His denmates had stopped attempting to converse with him. Even Foxpaw and Stonepaw had stopped their taunts once they saw that they had no effect, and simply ignored him. Stonepaw still slept in an adjacent nest during the night; Blazepaw still practiced with him; he still went on patrol with all of them; however, the old flames of friendships and acquaintanceships were gone. They were nothing more than cats who lived together. Part of Thrushpaw had been deeply saddened by the fact, but the other half of him found that he didn't exactly care. As time passed, he began to find that he didn't really want to associate with them at all anymore.
Wordlessly, he kicked dirt over his half-eaten mouse, and padded towards the entrance. Rubbleclaw frowned as he passed.
"You've just wasted a perfectly good mouse!"
"Oops," said Thrushpaw emptily. "Won't happen again."
"What's gotten into you, Thrushpaw?"
"Nothing," Thrushpaw replied, whipping around, feeling annoyed. "Seriously. Can I go do my chores now?"
Rubbleclaw stared at him for a moment. "Fine," he said finally, turning away. "But take Foxpaw with you."
Great StarClan. The russet tabby perked his ears and finished his food, approaching Thrushpaw with a lazy saunter. Dislike rose like bile in Thrushpaw's throat. Spinning towards the entrance again, he marched out and towards the Slopes, where the best grass was supposed to be. Foxpaw stood behind him, waiting.
"Let's split up," said Thrushpaw. "I can collect the grass here. You can go find grass elsewhere, so we'll have a variety." Truthfully, he just wanted some more alone time. Foxpaw shrugged and headed off, disappearing down the hill. Sighing, Thrushpaw bent down bite down the stalks of the grass, working silently. His mind drifted towards Willowpaw again--
A strange scent wafted over his nostrils, and he jerked up sharply, sending loose grass flying. A rogue? Narrowing his eyes, Thrushpaw scurried forward and scanned the bottom of the hill. Foxpaw was nowhere to be seen, but there was no one else there, either.
He turned around, and found himself face-to-face with a strange white tom.
"Who--"
"Shh!" the white tom leaned forward, sounding frantic. His eyes were wide, and he glanced around before speaking again. "Please, please don't call for help. I'm not here to try to kill you guys or anything. I just want to ask a question or two, and then I'll leave. Promise."
"Oh yeah? How do I know I can trust you?"
"If I keep staying after I ask my questions, you can yowl all you want," said the large white tom impatiently. "Now, you're a Clan cat, right?"
"...yes."
"So do you know someone named Willowpaw?"
Thrushpaw froze. His eyes widened and then narrowed, giving away his answer. "U-uh, I do, but she doesn't live here. What do you want with her?" Just because you're not threatening our Clan doesn't mean you can threaten other ones!
"So this isn't LeafClan?"
"No."
"Fox-dung." The white tom looked frustrated. "I knew it smelled weird. Can you point me in the direction of LeafClan?"
"No."
"Please," said the white tom, sounding desperate again. "I need to know."
"Why?" Thrushpaw challenged. He knew he was being difficult, and he enjoyed seeing the white stranger squirm. "And I'll need your name."
"I'm Bravado. Willowpaw's father."
Thrushpaw frowned. He had learned something new about his new friend. "She's not Clanborn?"
"She is, but I just happen to be her father. So I want to see her. Where's LeafClan?"
"You're not going to take her away, are you? I mean, take her away from the Clans."
"Of course not; she belongs there. I just like to visit her secretly every once in a while."
"Why?"
"Why? I'm her father! I can't just leave her in her mother's paws. I want to be able to see my kit every once in a while. Got it? I'm wasting my time here. I could be spending time with my daughters right now. Good talking to you. Now, I need to find this LeafClan." He started to leave, heading down the Slopes in the opposite direction.
"Wait!" Thrushpaw called out. Bravado stopped. Angling his ears across the border, he said, "it's this way. You'll have to pass another two Clans, but you can reach LeafClan once you cross them. And... tell her Thrushpaw of WhisperClan said 'hi.'"
Bravado gave a slight smile and nodded. "You sound like an okay tom, so I'll keep my word and deliver that message. Too bad you two are so far away. See you." He disappeared through the bushes, and Thrushpaw stood there, watching him leave. He hadn't even blinked yet when paw steps sounded behind him, and Foxpaw puffed up the hill with a mouthful of grass.
"Who're you talking to?" he asked suspiciously, spraying Thrushpaw with grass. Frowning, he backed up and glared at Foxpaw.
"No one," he retorted.
"Talking to yourself now?" Foxpaw smirked. Thrushpaw scowled, but the russet tom had already turned his back. Thank StarClan he didn't smell Bravado's scent! "Let's head to camp, then?"
"Lead the way," Thrushpaw muttered, picking up his collection and falling into step behind the other apprentice. A few tail-lengths away was a patrol, with Frostberry's tall, proud white form at the lead. Thrushpaw gulped inwardly and skidded slightly to avoid them. They were heading for the Slopes.
"Here's the grass," he said, dropping them in the elders' den. "Should I get to weaving them into your nests?" he asked Hawkshadow and Lichenfeather.
"We're supposed to do that," said Emberpaw quietly, padding in with Stonepaw and Birchpaw. Thrushpaw glanced at them. They looked familiar, because he shared a den with them every night. However, at the same time they looked like complete strangers, too. What was I angry about in the beginning...? Oh right, Rosetail. It took him a moment to recall her as his sister. Shaking his head, he padded out wordlessly. Emberpaw and Birchpaw giggled from inside as Stonepaw told a witty joke, and Thrushpaw rolled his eyes.
A moon had passed; Thrushpaw checked the moon each night, seeing what phase it was in. It was a three-quarter moon tonight; it would be the Gathering soon. He smiled to himself, the first smile he'd smiled since his last Gathering. I'll see Willowpaw again. And maybe meet someone else, too. Maybe even Rosetail.
"The Gathering is the next quarter-moon," Icestar was saying. Thrushpaw jerked his head up; he hadn't noticed the cats clustered around Icestar, who was giving a short announcement. "If you'd like to go to the Gathering, then please request. I'm only taking a few cats, so decide fast!"
Thrushpaw shouldered his way forward. "I'd like to go, please."
"Noted," said Icestar cheerfully, dipping his head. "Anyone else?" Cats began to push forward, and Thrushpaw was jostled to the side. Satisfied, he hopped out of the crowd and blinked happily, his head feeling clear for the first time in days. The crisp night air had never smelled so sweet.
"No fair!" Doekit chirped, stalking up. "We don't get to be apprentices until leaf-bare! And then it'll be cold again!"
"You'll have to wake up early," muttered Thrushpaw, as Sunkit, Deerkit, and Lightningkit trailed out behind Doekit. Not kits again! "It's not fun when you have to wake up before the sun."
"Can you show us a battle move?" Lightningkit blurted out. The kits' eyes lit up; Thrushpaw bit back a sigh.
"Erm, not now," he said curtly, turning away. "I uh, have things to do."
"Aw, please!" her brother Thunderkit bounced up beside her, pouting. Thrushpaw ground his teeth, letting his claws sink into the muddy ground. Why couldn't they take the answer 'no?'
"Come on, you two," Sunkit said, padding up. Now the eldest of the kits, he was by far the most mature. Blinking up at Thrushpaw, he turned to the kits. "Can't you see he doesn't want to? I'm sure being an apprentice is very stressful and tiring, so let's go pretend to be some!"
"Okay!" Turning, Thunderkit and Lightningkit ran after Sunkit back to the nursery, with their sister Sweetkit tumbling after them. Thrushpaw wished he could at least flash Sunkit a grateful nod. When I was small, I had friends like that, he recalled sadly. Spotting a group of his denmates in a circle next to the fresh-kill pile, he approached them.
Featherpaw and Blazepaw shifted aside wordlessly for him, and he settled in with a stiff greeting. Biting into the shrew he picked up, he noticed that others were sharing- Blazepaw with Featherpaw, Brownpaw with Stonepaw, Emberpaw with Cinderpaw, and Foxpaw and Birchpaw. Bending his head, he tucked into his own meal, but the flesh of the prey felt dry on his tongue, and he rolled his food around in his mouth before swallowing quite forcefully.
Slowly, gossip arose, starting with Birchpaw. "So, is it just me, or has anyone else seen Windwing and Shadowfox together quite often?"
"Oh thank StarClan," Blazepaw said with a glimmer in her eyes, "I've been dying to talk about it someone!"
"They're so cute together," Emberpaw added, smiling.
"Shadowfox is cute," Featherpaw grunted, "Windwing's kinda plain, if you ask me."
"That's because you like Shadowfox," Cinderpaw teased. Featherpaw threw a mouse tail at her, and she dodged with a squeal.
"You like Shadowfox?" asked Foxpaw, looking mildly interested. "He's kinda old, if you ask me."
"Not!" retorted Featherpaw. "He's only six moons older!"
"Well, good luck fighting Windwing," Brownpaw teased his sister.
Thrushpaw flicked his ears, not wanting to butt in. How much have I missed? Even Foxpaw's in this friend circle! Isn't he supposed to be selfish? He was surprised to see the ginger tom not hogging the prey he was eating with Birchpaw. Perhaps cats had changed. And I'm still stuck here! Forever, maybe!
"Hey you apprentices," Moonclaw said, padding over, "will all of you find something to do after you've eaten?"
"We were planning to," muttered Foxpaw. Beside him, Blazepaw gave him a light cuff on the ears. Moonclaw narrowed her eyes, but didn't say anything about the russet tom's sass.
"I want some of you on patrol, and three of you to do chores around camp. I think you're mature enough to sort out the duties amongst yourselves. As you were planning to," she added, before padding off.
"Dibs on the patrol," Thrushpaw said immediately, jumping up, not wanting to clean out the elders' den. Emberpaw glared at him, but claimed a patrol duty right after him.
"Dibs," Birchpaw, Foxpaw, and Stonepaw said together.
"I did chores just before this," Cinderpaw grunted, standing up. "That leaves you three," she said, flicking her tail to Blazepaw, Brownpaw, and Featherpaw.
"Fox-dung," Blazepaw swore, finishing the last of her mouse with Featherpaw, both eating in large bites.
"Grayfern told you not to swear," Birchpaw teased her, flicking her ears with her tail. Thrushpaw glanced at them gloomily. They all got along so well, and he suddenly felt extremely lonely. If Rosetail hadn't ran away, I would've still been happy. This is all your fault! I'm going to chew you out at the Gathering!
Now I wish I did the chores. Thrushpaw grumpily trailed behind his patrol, which consisted of Frostberry, Stonepaw, Foxpaw, and Goldenfox. Could this combination be any worse? They headed to the StormClan border to renew the scent line, and Thrushpaw climbed the slopes wearily. Suddenly, enemy scent wafted into his nostrils, and he opened his jaws to talk, but Goldenfox, at the head, had already snarled.
"StormClan! They've been trespassing on our territory."
"I think it's about a day old," Stonepaw piped up. The two warriors ignored him, heads already together, discussing.
"We ought to track them down right now," Goldenfox was growling.
"No, you mouse-brain," Frostberry hissed, "do you want to sink as low as them? We're going to tell Icestar about it and leave it at that. Do you want to get in trouble because of this?"
"We could just take care of the problem ourselves," snorted Goldenfox. Stonepaw flicked his tail in amusement at their banter, and Foxpaw smirked. Thrushpaw ground his teeth. Trust StarClan to give me these two stupid cats as brothers. But Frostberry is being rational.
"What are you going to do, ravage the camp and beat the warriors up? Do you want to give Goldenstar an excuse for a battle? How bad do you think we'd look at the Gathering?" the white tom retorted, baring his teeth. This made Goldenfox quiet. All about the reputation, eh? thought Thrushpaw bitterly.
"Fine," snapped Goldenfox after a pause. Stoenpaw and Foxpaw exchanged a glance. The large golden warrior's eyes roved over his patrol angrily, and for a moment Thrushpaw was scared he was going to attack Stonepaw and Foxpaw, both who had extremely judgmental looks on their faces. Frostberry bristled angrily, staring straight through Thrushpaw. "We'll go back. Happy?" Goldenfox shot at Frostberry. The white tom shrugged and began to walk the return path, with his littermate stalking behind him.
"So they're always like this?" Stonepaw asked Thrushpaw as the three of them hung back.
"I don't know," Thrushpaw said bitterly, "I'm barely their brother as it is."
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Post by Earth Hearted on Jul 23, 2016 18:23:58 GMT -6
A/N: Aaaannndd the story stops here. Anything I'll continue is not from before.
Chapter 10
Season: Late leaf-fall
Thrushpaw faced Foxpaw in the clearing, his eyes narrowed in concentration, his face scrunched up. Across from his, Foxpaw's eyes were clear with determination and focus, but he looked, at the same time, extremely calm.
Then, instantly, the two toms simultaneously leapt at each other, teeth bared, and clashed in the middle. Both sprang apart with a grunt, and backed up warily. Foxpaw darted in and swiped at Thrushpaw's shoulder, but he dodged and Foxpaw caught air. Hissing in frustration, the russet-ginger tom dipped as Thrushpaw's paw came down upon his head, and slammed onto empty ground.
"You ought to pick different opponents. You two know each other's moves and thinking extremely well."
Both spun around to see Icestar standing at the entrance of the hollow. Scrambling to him, they dipped their heads in respect. Icestar sat calmly, his blue eyes flickering from one apprentice to the next.
"There's more cats in the Clan waiting to practice," he said, amused. "I am aware that you two are the best in the Clan. But sometimes you need a challenge." Eyes gleaming, his ears twitched, as if waiting. Both toms looked to the side, trying to interpret the leader's implication.
Finally, Foxpaw got it. "Icestar, will you practice with me?"
The large white tom smiled, standing up. "With pleasure," he said. Thrushpaw glared at Foxpaw incredulously, but backed up hastily. No! Now I will never be as good as him!
"And Thrushpaw, I think you may do well with a bit of training, instead of waiting and watching."
"All cats of the Gathering, be ready to head out!" Icestar yowled from the clearing. Thrushpaw shot out of the apprentices' den, fully awake. Yes, finally! He'd been waiting for this day ever since Icestar's announcement of it. The full moon hung, fat and silver, in the sky, almost shimmering. Icestar's white pelt glowed in the darkness, and pairs of eyes stared at him, waiting for his signal. "Let's go!" With a flick of his tail, the large tom turned and pelted out, followed by his warriors.
Thrushpaw ran up to the front, eager to be one of the first ones there. His flanks began to heave as the journey grew longer, and he was forced to slow down and walk, pushed to the back as the cats who had conserved their energy padded past him, talking cheerfully. A river scent grew stronger, and StormClan warriors began to mingle with WhisperClan ones. However, the moment the first StormClan cat padded towards them, Goldenfox had to shout out what he'd been stomaching the entire quarter-moon.
"You fish-pelts crossed the border!"
Instantly, howls of protests rose among the StormClan cats; many hissed aggressively and arched their backs. Icestar whipped around, looking furious and frustrated.
"Who said that?" he called out angrily. No one said a word. "You know who you are! This is a Gathering, and I expect my warriors to behave! You are not upholding our pride by doing this!"
Goldenfox looked uncomfortable at Icestar's words, and Frostberry rolled his eyes. Thrushpaw decided to avoid them, and hung back, falling in step with Birchpaw and Featherpaw.
"Hey," Birchpaw said cheerfully, but emptily.
"Hey," Thrushpaw replied.
"Too bad Foxpaw isn't here," Featherpaw teased her.
"He didn't want to go," Birchpaw said. "Well, Shadowfox isn't here either! So you can't stare at him."
"Well, you and Foxpaw stare at each other so much--"
"We do not! We're just friends! And those were staring contests!"
"And I'm Icestar! Why would Foxpaw waste his time doing that?" Featherpaw retorted. Thrushpaw mumbled incoherently and left the two sisters at their playful banter. Those two need to get over their stupid crushes! And how does Foxpaw get a she-cat before me? StarClan help me, I must be dreaming!
The tension between WhisperClan and StormClan was still high. Thrushpaw peered around, hoping to see Rosetail amongst her new Clanmates. He couldn't see her, and disappointment welled inside him.
The Pond of Truce neared, and he saw that it was empty; they were the first two Clans there. Icestar and Goldenstar headed for the leaders' rock, and Thrushpaw sat at the shore, waiting. He did not have the energy to look for Rosetail again. And I'm not sure if I want to.
"Ah, you two have beat me!" said a warm voice. Whitestar crossed the stream deftly, with a light leap of his long legs. Thrushpaw's heart leapt with excitement; LeafClan had arrived!
"Hey," growled a gravelly voice behind him. Turning around, he saw a scrawny, fawn-brown tom glaring thorns at him. His scent told Thrushpaw that he was of LeafClan, Willowpaw's Clanmate. Denmate too, by the size of him.
"Hey," Thrushpaw replied for the second time.
"You're Thrushpaw, right?" continued the brown tom, stepping closer. "Weaselpaw. Stay away from Willowpaw! You're not her Clanmate!"
"She's just a friend," Thrushpaw said, frowning. Great StarClan, he jumps to conclusions. "I only met her once. And our Clans don't even border, so what's the point?"
"If you two ever grow close," Weaselpaw pressed, ignoring Thrushpaw and leaning in, "just think before you do anything. And tell her... I know her little secret." his breath stank and Thrushpaw took a step back.
"Whatever," he snapped, feeling defensive of himself and Willowpaw. She has a secret?. "It's not going to happen. Get lost."
"Already am," Weaselpaw said lazily, strolling away. Thrushpaw had not blinked when another voice, this time feminine and friendly, called him.
"Hi Thrushpaw!" Willowpaw slid up beside him, and he purred in greeting.
"Hey," he said in a much friendlier and enthusiastic tone.
Willowpaw blinked for a second, then leaned in, too, pressing her muzzle close to Thrushpaw's ear. "My father visited," she breathed. "Thanks for pointing him in the right direction."
Thrushpaw nodded. "He seems nice."
"He said you were 'okay,'" Willowpaw replied. "He was asking about toms my age that I knew, and he liked you by far. But all the apprentices in my Clan are jerks. Especially that Weaselpaw."
"Just met him," Thrushpaw said without thinking.
"Oh? What did he have to say?"
"Uh..." Thrushpaw kneaded his paws nervously. "Nothing much. He was pretty curt," he replied, inventing wildly. Willowpaw nodded in understanding.
"I know, right? He never says anything, but when he does, it's always really rude. Or threatening."
Tell me about it! Thrushpaw kept his muzzle shut. What was Willowpaw's secret? Bravado?
"You're quite tonight," Willowpaw said gently, touching his shoulder with her tail tip. "I thought you could talk to me."
"I can," he said, feeling warm at her friendliness, "but I don't have anything to say."
"I'm sure you do. But I have things to say." Leaning in, she whispered, "I'm worried about Bravado. They're smelling his scent everywhere, my Clanmates, and just yesterday I was sent out on patrol to search for him. What am I supposed to do? I can't stop him from seeing me! He's really stubborn!"
"Tell him to roll in some lavender, or strong-smelling fern," Thrushpaw whispered back, thinking back to the time he and Foxpaw snuck out when they were kits. Willowpaw pondered at this, but nodded.
"That's a good idea. But his white pelt--!"
"Smear it with mud, or something," Thrushpaw suggested.
Willowpaw wrinkled his nose. "I can't believe he'll actually go through the trouble just to see his daughter. He knows how hostile Clan cats are. Especially LeafClan cats! Whitestar's getting frustrated that we can't find Bravado."
"I thought Whitestar was pretty chill."
"He's still leader! He can't just sit back and give Goldenflame all the work to do. Our Clan would've died by now. Besides, he would've learned something from Silverstar's reign."
Thrushpaw shivered at the mention of the former dictator. She had been dead for a couple moons before he'd been born, but the tale was still fresh in many senior warriors' heads, and her story was still passed down from the elders. "So I assume you go intercept him everytime?"
"Yes, and I've told him to go, for his own safety; but I think he's going to join the Clan now or something! Great StarClan. Anyway, it's getting cold." Willowpaw shivered, perhaps somewhat exaggeratedly.
Thrushpaw, afraid to take the implication wrong, yet hoping to get it right, moved closer. The two apprentices huddled together comfortably under the stars.
Season: Early leaf-bare
"I'd really like to know who that dumb loner is," growled Stonepaw from nearby, as the circle of apprentices ate. Thrushpaw, who had enjoyed his conversation with Willowpaw, had distanced himself from them, and was eating to the side. No one noticed his absence.
"I hope he leaves before they catch him," Emberpaw said softly, "I'm sure he's just looking for a place to stay."
"And Whitestar's not going to let anyone in!" Cinderpaw hissed. "Do you think he would after all the fox-dung with Silverstar?"
"StormClan said that they're also smelling the scent," Birchpaw added. "Oh, I'm sure he's harmless if he moves around all the time."
"No, he probably hunts on the land!" Brownpaw crowed, standing up. "We must find him before he starts to take too much of our prey!"
"Sit down," snapped Stonepaw. "Stop jumping to conclusions."
"He's right," Birchpaw said, frowning at her brother, "calm it." Brownpaw looked uncertain, but settled into an uneasy crouch, his eyes narrowed. Thrushpaw's heart pounded; would Icestar take Bravado in if he ever showed up? How could he live with the knowledge that his daughter is in an enemy Clan? If Bravado got caught, would he get in trouble by association? Just take your daughter's word and leave! he thought. You're making all our lives uneasy, especially yours! You're blinded by your family who rarely even interacts with you. They've got their loyalty set-- find yours.
Last Edit: Jul 23, 2016 18:25:12 GMT -6 by Earth Hearted
Profile picture credit to the amazing Sentinel. c:
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Welcome to Compass Ross Packs territories. These wolves are... different than those of Earth. They live in a different realm, and the only way in or out is through the Transport wolves.
What are these wolves, you ask? These wolves have magic on their fur and the elements in their blood. These wolves have power. But will they use them for good, or for evil? That is up to you.
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