Warriors

[koggthryn]

"Hiya Frogleap! I'm actually okay, just a little sore from all the jumping but there are a ton of cats more injured than me. I only had one piece of ice stuck to my pad but it's all okay now." Frogleap blinked, unable to help a purr of amusement at the new warrior racing up to him, assuring him of her well-being so he could focus his efforts elsewhere. "Alright, Leafdance, you're free to go then," he replied, waving his tail as she bounded off towards Sunshade. He crossed the clearing to where Ripplepool, Stardancer, and Cedarmask had managed to gather a couple pawfuls of what had been his entire herb storage. He tried not to appear too disappointed. He probably failed. "Stars..." he murmured, touching his paw to a torn borage leaf. "Stonepaw and I can replenish it," he assured the warriors, though the look in his eyes said it would be some time before he could scrounge his entire stock back up. "Thank you," he mewed Ripplepool and Cedarmask scooped the herbs up for him, padding out of camp. He padded after them, following the lead of Sunshade and Lynxstar to a sand hollow, where the clan cats were beginning to take their rest after the seemingly too-long day of tree terror and kitting scares.

Frogleap took to his business of examining every cat, from most extreme to least. In between stopping by each and every warrior to wrap their pads in oak leaves--"It's the best Ripplepool and Cedarmask could save."--he also frequently checked on Cloverstream and the kits, though remaining careful not to disturb their rest. It was the best thing for them right now. After he and Stonepaw had thoroughly ensured the Clan's well-being, he wrapped his tail around the apprentice's shoulders comfortingly, pulling her to the side of the hollow. "We're going to need to go on quite the expedition bright and early tomorrow for herbs," he mewed, his lethargy not taking away from his matter-of-fact attitude about the situation. "Mind you, we most likely won't find every herb in the forest, but we'll get everything we absolutely need to keep this clan all patched up." He glanced across the clearing, to where Fawnpaw and Grasspaw were making quick, simple nests for cats, showing Thistle the way to curl ferns beneath moss into what could be deemed an acceptable nest. Watching his son scamper after the two apprentices, laughing at Grasspaw, who was tripping up on the fronds trailing from his jaws, and trailing after Fawnpaw, who remained the most stoic of the three, caused his whiskers to twitch in endearment. 'If only Spidersilk were here to see you, Thistle. Would she still be able to think so badly of clan life?'

Pulling his attention from his kit, he released a sigh as the cats surrounding him in the slightly-too-cozy hollow collectively began to curl up around one another. "StarClan were walking among us in that Twoleg den today," he announced, turning his head towards the sky. "It's a miracle that not a single cat was seriously harmed. And that Leafdance would grace us all with the spectacular acts of a star-blessed warrior." His eyes searched the sky for a long moment, instinctively waiting for the scent of an ancient cat or an acknowledging starry pelt brushing past his flank. None came. He knew he should be thankful--it was what he'd been asking for sine the day he left DawnClan with Spidersilk--but his sudden missing link with the stars he'd always kept in sight left him feeling like half a cat. He knew he couldn't have it all, but the loud silence still left him wishing he could anyway. He closed his eyes, blocking out thoughts of stars and ancestors. "Anyway," he continued, "You should go rest up with the apprentices. I'll wake you when we need to head out for those herbs."

+

Cedarmask assisted in the relocation of Frogleap's bare-bones pile of herbs, trotting next to Ripplepool to the hollow the clan was led to. He waved off Frogleap's motion to come forward so he could be checked for injuries, insisting that he was without any. With a sigh of resignation from the medicine cat, Cedarmask left him to round up the Fawnpaw and Grasspaw, the latter of which was rowdily exploring the little "camp" with Thistle hounding after him, Fawnpaw simply poking about on her own. "Alright you three, make yourselves useful. Grasspaw, go fetch as many fronds of fern you can find. Fawnpaw, moss. I've got Thistle. When you two get back you can show him how to make a nest. Who knows," his chest rumbled, causing Thistle to inch away from him warily. "He may even find himself an apprentice one day having to make one on his own." The little silver tabby screwed up his nose, the scorn in his face identical to the look his mother gave nearly every clan cat who approached her. "No, not gonna happen," he mewed defiantly. "Mom says so." Cedarmask's ears flicked. "Very well. The skill can still be applied to a loner life." The kit dubiously accepted this, settling next to the warrior to await the return of his kits, who returned not too long after. Grasspaw called Thistle to him, already dropping the ferns and arranging a few into a cat-sized bed.

Leaving them to it, Cedarmask looked towards the exit from the little sandy hollow, considering before he quietly dropped by his leader. "The sky's darkening, and who knows how long still Spidersilk will be out. I'm going to go wait up for her with Ripplepool so he's not left alone out there, okay?" Waiting for Lynxstar's "go-ahead" before exiting camp, he darted back out to where the twoleg den squatted, half squashed in the distance. "Hello, Ripplepool. Figured it wouldn't be too much fun waiting out here in the dark alone, let alone having to walk Spidersilk to the new camp on your own. She's not the most pleasant cat to be left with, after all." He sat himself with the younger tom, blocking the worst of the wind from him like he would for his own kits. He was coming around to making a habit of fathering half the clan, it seemed.

+

"Grasspaw, what're you doing to him?" "Teaching him to make a nest!!" "You've made him a part of the nest--how is that teaching??" "To truly know the mechanics of a nest, Fawnpaw, you must first be the nest." Grasspaw and Thistle promptly dissolved into another fit of laughter, Thistle rolling out from between the curled frond of the make-shift nest in his display of hilarity. Fawnpaw looked on, amused but trying not to show it. "You two are going to get us bickered at. Come on, let's make a nest around Cloverstream and the kits and then be done with it." The two toms, of course, conceded, trailing after her. When she turned to check back on them, a few tail lengths from where Cloverstream was sleeping deeply with her new-borns, her brother was giving Thistle a ride on the dragging ferns, creating a pattern in the sand behind them. She rolled her eyes, breaking her poker-face to playfully chase the kit off the ferns. "Get out of here you little mongrel!" Thistle chortled as he darted away from the tufts of fur in her paws tickling him. Grasspaw sobered enough to gently tuck the ferns and moss around the sleeping queen and her kits with his sister, the two bowing away when Lynxstar picked his way over to curl up with his mate.

"Alright, Thistle. Come along, let Fawnpaw and Grasspaw go rest with the other apprentices," came Frogleap's voice, beckoning his son away. Thistle waved goodbye with his little tail, bounding away to settle down with his father. The two apprentices made their way to where Stonepaw and Blackpaw were, with Nightpaw arriving soon after, a vole in his jaws to share with the lot of them. Grasspaw followed the other tom, purring his appreciation for something to eat after burning up all of last night's fresh-kill running around with Thistle. Fawnpaw shook her head to the offer, figuring the other apprentices would need the energy more. She could wait for prey later, when hunting brought in enough for everyone. It's not like she'd done much more than kitsit, anyways. Settling next to Nightpaw's flank, she wrapped her thick tail around her and over her nose, closing her eyes to the ever-changing world that seemed to be FloodClan life.


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[koggthryn]

Ravenstrike wove through the forest with her attention set on what was before her, Stormstar's profile floating alongside in her peripheral vision. The wind jostled the trees around them, sending flurries of debris spiraling down about the two cats. She kept intent on where they were headed, not realizing until long after they'd left their camp behind in the wilting forest that Stormstar was more or less keeping to her lead. The realization distracted her from her focus on their route, her gaze straying to his paws with a hint of unease. The reminder of her leader's unpredictability nagged at her, causing a thought to finally occur: 'Why me?' She set her gaze back to the trail, keeping her features unreadable. 'He could have asked any warrior. So why the resident flighty broad?'

"Harespring has grown into a fine warrior." The muscles in her shoulders stiffened, instantaneously defensively. "You must be very proud." Ravenstrike struggled for something to reply with. Words were suddenly like slippery fish, her jaw paralyzed with tension. 'Proud.' She considered, a pregnant silence stretching out between them before she spoke into the empty space. "I suppose. She knows where she belongs, at the very least."

A thought cut through her mind, snaking its way up from the far back, bitter corners of her: 'Jealous would be a more fitting summation.' Her expression blanked and attention to the outside world dulled, dragged back into the lost recesses of her head.

"I wouldn't short change yourself." Ravenstrike blinked slowly, clawing her way back to the front of her mind. "You're denying yourself the successes you have had, other things aside." Her pace slowed subtly. She cast a sidelong look at him. There had been a time wherein she was a well accomplished warrior, back when she was younger, novel. And for the longest while, it had seemed that her act of disbandment had shredded her reputation, not just within her own clan, but the forest as a whole.

Stormstar came to a full stop. She follow suit much more slowly, turning back to study him carefully. Surprise colored her. There seemed to be genuine emotion pulling at his face. "... I just wanted to say that when you and Harespring first returned to us I behaved... badly. I thought that when you left us you couldn't possibly be a warrior I could trust. But you've raised Harespring to value clan and code, and been a loyal and trustworthy warrior of DawnClan.... I was wrong." Ravenstrike's whiskers twitched. She was actively sorting through what had merit and what didnt. She'd hardly raised Harespring--she was responsible for her character alone. As much as Ravenstrike wished she'd had a part in it, she knew she'd had little to no positive influence on her kit.

Her thoughts abruptly flashed back to the night Sunshade had left and he'd asked her to stay in DawnClan for him. 'To be his eyes and ears within DawnClan.' She'd conceded, but had yet to met with him. Did that silence on her part make her a "loyal and trustworthy warrior of DawnClan?" Or was she just standing Sunshade up while she watched the days trail past, disinterested and stagnant?

Stormstar met her gaze, which she'd kept clear of any flicker that might give her tumbling thoughts away. Instead, he was met with watchful curiosity. "But I'm glad I was." Something hitched inside her chest--strikingly similar to the feeling she got watching Harespring turn away from her, but somehow more... moving. A warmth flickered alongside the feeling. She found herself purring, dipping her head to her leader. "Thank you, Stormstar. I'm happy to have rebuilt even a fraction of your trust in me." She ignored the doubt fluttering about her mind, questioning whether she meant any bit of what she said.

Noise from further ahead of them put a stop to anything more she might have said, instantly alerting the two of them to the presence of a cat. Intent on their mission once more, she crouched alongside him, her pelt brushing his ever so slightly as they slinked forward to peer through the brush at a she-cat Ravenstrike also recognized. Spidersilk had left with Forestfern's former apprentice not long after Ravenstrike had returned with Harepaw. She'd watched the she-cat distract Frogleap from attending to her kit's wounds. And she'd been blamed by quite a few of her clanmates when they woke to the two missing from camp for having put the idea in their heads. Following Stormstar's lead, she moved quickly but stealthily, following the unsuspecting Spidersilk.

+

Spidersilk had been out hunting for the larger portion of the day. Every moment she spent among clan cats grated on her. Frogleap's willingness to stay, even if it was only to train a cat in the way of herbs and StarClan so FloodClan could run independently, had incited a number of snippy commentary from her. Which he'd manage the way he always did: attentively and lovingly. Endearment would sear her heart and she'd get frustrated with her own difficulty tenfold. 'Why can't he just be a jerk so my i can be justifiably angry?' she asked the universe bitterly, though she knew she didn't mean it. Frogleap saw the best in her, even when she was hard to be around, and she dreaded that ever changing. But somehow, it was nigh impossible for her to be anything but a thorn in the side.

Hunting had at least gotten the built up tension out of her limbs. She padded back towards camp feeling more relaxed than she had in days, even if she hadn't truly solved any of her resentment for her current situation. Rounding a group of unruly bushes, the abandoned twoleg den came into sight, half incaved with branches jutting from it. She dropped her prey in utter, heart-stopping shock. "Frogleap!" She yowled, shooting forward, her prey completely forgotten. "Thistle!!" Blinded with the rush of adrenaline, she didn't even notice the two warriors stationed before the den until Cedarmask had to physically bring her to a halt, pressing his side to her heaving chest--whether it was heaving from panic or running like a lightning flash, she didn't know. Cedarmask was rumbling something calmly but she could barely hear him. "What?!" She half yelled, jerking her attention towards the tom. "I said, they're okay, Spidersilk. Everyone's safe. We've relocated to a sandy hollow just that way," he gestured with his tail and her attention followed, comprehension coming to her slowly. "Show me. Now!" Cedarmask nodded obligingly, understanding her worry through and through. "Skychase, could you carry her fresh-kill?" He asked as they started towards the hollow.


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[koggthryn]

Underbrush stroked her pelt in the breeze as Ravenstrike crouched beside her leader, the two bearing witness to Spidersilk's return to her new home. Her cries echoed through the space between the small she-cat and them, to which Ravenstrike blinked quickly. 'So much drive to see to their safety.' She thought back to the way she'd watched that dog tear at her kit's face, stock still with silent horror. She wondered if it meant she wasn't capable of caring for the cats she should love with as much unwavering ferocity as the small silver cat down before them did.

The sight of FloodClan's apparent camp was another thing all together. While the extinction of the makeshift clan would simplify the forest once more, she couldn't help the panic that shot through her. 'Sunshade's down there...' Stormstar moved suddenly, like he was making to leave, when a tom's rumbling voice command both of their attention. The two simultaneously locked in on the source--Cedarmask. Ravenstrike's mouth went sour. Memory of his escape with his kits--her own as well as Maplefeather's--dragged at her conscience. Harespring had been the one to inform Stormstar that the cats were planning to dissolve from the clan in favor of FloodClan. She remembered pulling her aside and demanding to know why she would give them away like that, and the way Harespring had looked back at her with anger. 'You'd never understand. You never knew how to be loyal to the clan.' When Maplefeather had been dragged back into camp, beaten and wild-looking, Ravenstrike had to bite down on her own tail to keep from doing anything stupid--like speaking out. Or helping the other she-cat get to FloodClan. The sight of her day to day, frail but determined to carry herself with pride, burned at her. And now, with Cedarmask alive before her, she already knew she'd be slipping the word to Maplefeather that her mate, and their kits, presumably, were safe.

A motion to follow brought her back to the mission at paw. Ravenstrike slipped after Stormstar, tailing the cats around until a hollow tucked into the skirts of the twoleg nest territory came into view. Cats festered in its midst, weaving around one another and settling down for the day. "There are so many. How is it possible their numbers have swelled so much in just a moon?" Ravenstrike flicked her tail, taking in the sight beside him. "Every cat and their kin seems to have left their clan to follow him." Her eyes narrowed in on a familiar bright pelt. 'Sunshade...' She watched as he curled up with a she-cat, who appeared particularly stunned. And momentarily pleased. She looked away, ignoring the clenching in her chest. Her gaze settled, instead, on Stormstar. Tension rolled off him in waves, and it wasn't hard for her to deduct why. She'd been looking at the same cat. Her ears pulled back, understanding her leader for what may have been the very first time. Her tail had just begun to move to its own accord, making to stroke his shoulder emphatically, when he jerked. She froze. He looked out from the undergrowth a bit longer before turning away. "Let's go," he muttered, padding back the way they'd come without glancing back.

Ravenstrike walked at his side for the majority of the walk back to camp, her focus resting on him a notable amount more than it had been on their trek out. She found herself very receptive of his lighter mood, even letting soft mrrows of laughter slip out. Despite the cold, she felt warm at his side, allowing herself to reconsider her opinions of her leader as he engaged her in a story of foolish heroics. He already had her focus when he turned his gaze on her completely. "When my parents died I had nothing but Sunpaw. At least, that's what I'd thought. But in a clan you are never truly alone." She blinked, her defenses preparing to reinstate themselves. But he continued anyway. "You have a whole family here Ravenstrike, if you'll allow it." A lump made it hard to swallow. She hadn't steeled herself soon enough. "I..." She trailed, unsure. What was there to say to such a declaration? She wasn't even sure if she knew how to "allow it." A noise of surprise eked from her as he pressed himself to her before leading the way into camp. She hesitated outside, thoroughly moved and needing a moment to clamp down on her sudden spike of vulnerability.


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Stormstar had already left the clearing in favor of his den when Ravenstrike pushed her way through the bramble tunnel. The bits of sky visible through the tree branches overhead were dimming, and cats were beginning to disperse into their dens. She searched Maplefeather out from among the cats, her eyes settling on the calico she-cat determinedly. She was seated with Cloverlush, as steadfast in her waning state as ever. Padding over, Ravenstrike prepared to steal the cat away from the other warrior.

+

Maplefeather had been grateful to every single star above her head when Cloverlush shook her head to her offered share of the mouse. It hadn't taken her long to scoop the rest of the scant meal into her jaws. "Oh I can imagine." She blinked at the other she-cat, her emphatic, knowing tone ringing true to her ears. "You remember Duststrike? We'd been planning on kits - it wasn't even a for sure thing and it was taking up most of my thoughts." Her facial muscled were promptly stunned, looking on at Cloverlush under a different light. "Oh. I'm so sorry, dear." "I can only imagine how much actually having kits would effect your thoughts." She looked away, her throat constricting with emotion. The warrior prolonged a paused. "I'm sorry you had to leave them," she breathed, looking at her with sincerity. Maplefeather made a strangled noise--a choked down sob. She closed her eyes, looking away. "So am I," she mewed, her voice rough with emotion.

"Excuse me, Cloverlush, but could I steal Maplefeather from you?" Maplefeather turned her eyes on Ravenstrike. Irritation prickled her pelt. The dark she-cat had been Cedarmask's former mate, and Grasspaw's mother. She hadn't deserved to be either. As Cloverlush dipped away, Maplefeather held Ravenstrike's gaze, squinting cautiously. "I just thought you should know..." Ravenstrike looked away. "I went out with Stormstar today and we saw Cedarmask. He's alive and in FloodClan. I assume that means your kits are too." Maplefeather blinked rapidly, stunned, before relief washed over her. 'They made it!' She curled her tail in delight. But then, something Ravenstrike had said urged correcting.

Just as the other cat was turning away to leave her be, she spoke. "Our kits." Her paws stuttered. She glanced back. "What?" "Grasspaw was yours once, too. You haven't forgotten, have you?" Ravenstrike looked lost, like maybe she had. Maplefeather could only catch a glimpse of the remorse that flickered in her eyes before she turned back away, and left without a word. She looked on, a mixture of irritated and sad for the other she-cat. 'It's like she'd just.. given up on herself.'

It was on this note that Maplefeather returned to her nest in the warriors den. Secluded to the edge of the branches, as though the other warriors didn't want to even risk brushing pelts with her. It was fine, though. She didn't much want to associate with the majority of them anyways. Settling down, she felt the effects of her imprisonment physically wearing on her. She hadn't even done much but eat a bit of prey and talk today, but her body felt as though it had padded six hundred thunder paths. Sleep didn't hesitate to take her.

+

Patrolling with Redbriar and Sunwhisper was a lighthearted activity. Harespring wallflowered her way through most patrols, and this one was no different. She generally kept her responses short or non-verbal, content to keep to herself. But the banter between the mute warrior and her old mentor did drag a number of snorts from her throat. Even if Harespring wasn't sure whether she liked Sunwhisper all that much--she was one of the clan's weakest links, in her personal opinion--she had to admire how the other cat got along. And couldn't help the pang of envy over her relationship with Redbriar. It was the sort of familiarity she'd never had with Cedarmask.

"Hey, are you okay? You seemed a little... Distracted while you were sitting with Ravenstrike earlier." Harespring met the warrior's eyes evenly, considering. "I'm alright. She's just... Ravenstrike, you know? And I don't understand her. It makes for a healthy amount of frustration." She flicked her ears, dismissing the subject. "There's nothing much more to say. Thank you, though," she added, nudging his shoulder with hers graciously. "I appreciate the sentiment of your concern."

+

The new day was just as chilly, if not more, as the day before. Ravenstrike had woken when the dawn patrol had been roused. Harespring was waiting for her outside the den, offering a chance to go hunting together. She'd considered passing it up, but one look over Harespring's shoulder at Maplefeather, sitting outside Forestfern's den and staring straight at her, had her following her kit out into the forest.

Their hunt was a quietly efficient one. Harespring was startlingly sharp, her focus leading her astray from their joint course for a number of catches. Ravenstrike managed to bring down a squirrel scrambling up a tree to its nest as well as two lone shrews scrabbling in the waning undergrowth. When there seemed enough prey for their jaws to carry, they padded home, Ravenstrike eking out a few compliments that went largely ignored.

Back in camp, they dropped off their catch and Harespring left to groom herself. Sighing, Ravenstrike curled her tail around herself, closing her eyes against world. 'Another day of waste.' She shuddered from the cold, now steeping into her that she was still.

+

Maplefeather woke early once more. Her switches between restless and exhausted were wearing on her. Overhearing Forestfern planning to take Flarepaw and Iceleap out herb hunting while she was grooming her fur flat, she decided to loiter near the medicine cat's den to offer assistance. However, she was, of course, passed by. She watched them go off into the forest with a jolt of nostalgia and envy to her heart. She missed the forest more than she cared to admit aloud.

Her attention was claimed by Sunwhisper when the silent warrior padded up to her with a shared offering. Purring with thanks, she nodded and let the other take the first bite before she allowed herself one.


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[koggthryn]

"I doubt they know that you're ill, even the clan scarcely knows how severe it was. As for whether or not you're going, let's leave that to Tiltfeather. There's no need for you to land yourself right back in this nest another moon if he thinks it'll only do harm, and besides I think I can handle the two kits at least one moon. Either way, they'll know we're not going to back down without a fight."

Adderstar could remember the day she'd first really appreciated Owlflight. She'd of course known her growing up, but the she-cat had just been another denmate--no one Adderstar could imagine trusting her life and clan with. When she'd been promoted to deputy, she found Owlflight's company steadying. But even then, she hadn't seen her for more than a good, strong clan member. No, it was one moon after Vipersong had died. She'd made her way out to where clan cats were buried again, recklessly leaving camp without a word. When Duskstar couldn't find her, Owlflight sought her out. She'd padded up to her side and sat with her in silence until Adderstar broke it. "I loved her." "I know. It was clear." She bowed her head, and Owlflight pressed close to her. "Make it to the day you receive nine lives. You'll see her again, my friend."

Fast forward many moons, and Owlflight was still giving her the best advice any leader could ask for.

She dipped her head to her, joining in on her purr. "Ohh, my, don't you sound just like a feisty queen," she joked, playfully poking her on the shoulder with a paw, before sobering back up to focus on her deputy. The weariness in the way she was carrying herself showed, betraying her when she tried to brush Adderstar's concern off. "Okay. A little. I've been fretting like a new queen, and don't you ever tell Eagletalon I admitted that." Her ears turned back with empathy, knowing how Owlflight must feel. She could recall the last few moons of Duskstar's life and how stressful it'd been to balance his constant grief with directing the clan. "I give you a lot of credit. Having the burden of the whole clan looking to you constantly is more of a challenge then I anticipated." She laid her tail on Owlflight's, smiling up at her encouragingly and gratefully. "Well, even I don't have to do it alone. You're always there to partially shield me from the relentless expectations of the masses," she mewed cheekily, attempting to be lighthearted. Focusing back on her eyes, she continued, "You're an amazing cat, though, Owlflight. I have no doubt in my mind that you've risen to the challenge. I'm just sorry to have called in sick on you." She laughed, the sound grating in her throat. 'Stars, she's bad for me like this. Can't ever stop laughing and smiling with her.' And yet, she dreaded when she'd be left for the night.

"And I was really worried we were going to loose you for a while... I missed you." She blinked up at her, stunned. The intensity of having Owlflight's focus so solely on her made her little den seem so much warmer, suddenly. "Nah, I'm still young. I bounce back quickly." She reached her neck up to nose the warrior's shoulder softly, trying to soothe. "Sorry to leave you wanting, lady fairest. Fear not--you won't have to miss me any longer."

"And here I go, demoted to an apprentice once again, having to care for the cats in the clan who can't do it themselves." Adderstar snorted, her tail abandoning it's perch on Owlflight's to gesture to herself. "That would be me! Hey, no complaining from you, alright? This should be a nice break from the big girl task of leading a clan," she joked, happy to see the cheer coming back into her. "But he's not wrong. At least the way you're looking today, you'll probably feel well enough to actually go to the gathering if you rest up. But if you need help when we're out of view of the others, let me know? And if you're not feeling well enough for it, don't push yourself." Adderstar nodded, purring. "Of course, wise deputy mine. I accept your demands."

A yawn forced its way from between her jaws and her paws reflexively stretched out before her while her eyes squeezed shut. "Stars, I've done nothing but sleep for a moon and I still feel bone tired." She settled once more, blinking her eyes open. The bundle of herbs came back into view. "Should probably eat those..." She scooped the package toward her, forcing down the mixture before she rested her chin on her paws once more. "I would like to see some of the world outside this den again. I've almost forgotten what every cat looks like," she sighed, wistful. Her eyes found Owlflights once more. She hesitated, considering herself before she decided to bite the bullet. "Could you stay until I fall asleep? I've... missed you too. An awful, dreadful lot. You know--when I was in and out of consciousness." She purred sleepily, letting her eyes slowly fall shut. Whether Owlflight stayed or not, she didn't know. Just as suddenly as the fatigue had settled on her, it claimed her.

+

Fernlight twitched her whiskers thoughtfully over the fresh-kill pile before she hooked out a vole. "So... how was the border patrol? Any new and exciting developments? Or should I start a rumor around the clan that Eagletalon adopted a skunk kit and is secretly taking care of it when he goes off for border patrol?" Laughter bubbled up her throat as she settled down beside her friend with their bit of prey. "Now that would be news worth reporting on. But alas, all is quiet on the fronts." As the daylight died down, the late leaf-fall chill seeped down into the hollow, prickling her thick pelt with cold. She promptly shifted closer to Pineheart, pressing comfortably to his side. "For now, I suppose. I don't think things will be quite as simple after this next Gathering." She sighed, glancing up towards the leader's den. "And for that, I do hope that Adderstar's closer to recovering."

A bit of movement near the entrance to the warrior's den caught her eye and she noticed Lilypaw staring at them, the briefest look of disappointment ghosting over her features. Fernlight's ears twitched in concern, looking from the apprentice to her mentor beside her. Pineheart hadn't really been the same since his father died, and it understandably may have taken its toll on Lilypaw's training as well. 'It can't be easy balancing grief with mentor duties. Maybe with a bit of support...'

She nudged him gently, her eyes smiling warmly into his. "Somebody's got a forlorn looking shadow tailing them," she mewed, waving her tail inconspicuously towards Lilypaw, who had just padded off with a vole herself towards Doveclaw. "I hope you're not standing up all the ladies in your life for me," she joked, trying to gently poke her concern at him. "I mean, not that I'm complaining. I do love me some Pineheart time. Maybe I could go out with you and Lilypaw on your next bit of training, though? I could do with getting some idea of what mentoring entails." This was a bit of exaggeration. She was sure she'd know how to mentor when the time came. She really just wanted to spend more time with Pineheart without stealing Lilypaw's mentor away from her. But amiably padding around the bush was a skill she knew well.

As the two reached the remains of their prey, Fernlight rested her head against Pineheart's shoulder, her eyes on the leader's den once more. "Didn't Owlflight go in there earlier? Is she still there? I think the dusk patrol needs to be arranged..." Her tail twitched in thought. "Maybe we should just go ahead and lead one out? I'm up for it if you are." She stretched, her limbs quivering with the effort, before popping up sprightly. "If you'll go snag a few cats, I'll tell Owlflight that we've got this." Whisking her tail over his nose playfully before she bounded off across camp, Fernlight poked her head into the leader's den. "Owlflight?" She meowed, her eyes adjusting to the dim. Adderstar lay in her nest still, her flank rising and falling in sleep, and her deputy by her side. Lowering her voice so as not to disturb her leader, she continued, "Pineheart and I are covering the dusk patrol, alright? We'll spare you the logistics. I'd like to see you get some peaceful rest tonight." She smiled before backing out of the den, meeting Pineheart and the cats he'd rounded up at the entrance.

As they padded out of camp, she wound her way up beside him, keeping an ongoing commentary with their familiar repartee resonating between them. Once again, the borders were uneventful, but a few of the cats managed to snag some prey along the way. As the group neared a tunnel entrance that would lead them back home, Fernlight hung back to look up at the stars, even as the cold numbed her limbs. Silverpelt dashed across the sky, each faint glow of a star adding to the overall brilliance. That, she knew, was how clans worked. No cat was ever supposed to be on their own--they couldn't do great things that way. When Pineheart called out for her to come on, she looked back to him with a happy tail swish. 'And this is one cat I'm never going to leave alone.' She padded up to him, the two trailing their patrol back to camp, where they'd all settle down for the night.


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[koggthryn]

Frogleap's night turned out to be a long one. First with Hazeltail coming to him just as he was settling Thistle down, limping from a sprained paw. Frogleap was rarely cross with anyone, but that didn't mean he wouldn't scold a foolish warrior ignoring their own well being for a ridiculous display of self-sacrifice. "The ligaments are just stretched by the looks of it--you're lucky you didn't tear them. You'd be on total bed rest if you had. I'm going to set this paw for you, but you need to go easy on it for a couple of days. With the clan being in turmoil right now you're bound to be assigned to patrols, but in any free time you have, see to it that you're resting the paw. Now go," he ushered him off, having finished his wrapping. No sooner had he turned to slide his herbs back to their temporary storage than a voice hissed his name. Ear's perking at the familiar voice, he turned just in time to see Spidersilk's face, 0.5 seconds before she launched herself at him. She nuzzled her face into his neck fur, her purr mixing with his while his tail wrapped around her, drawing her as close to him as space would permit them. Over her shoulder, he could spot Cedarmask and Ripplepool looking away with obvious discomfort. He could almost imagine, word for word, what their minds were thinking. Even if FloodClan appreciated his arrival when they needed a cat to train their first true medicine cat the most, they were still clan cats. They weren't used to a medicine cat having a mate and family. Most of them were looking forward to the day Stonepaw would fully take over his role. And he had to admit, with Spidersilk curling herself around him and Thistle nesting between their bellies, he was too.

The new morning brought a beautiful sight with it: Spidersilk's features, delicate and peaceful in her sleeping state, bathed in the soft morning light. He let himself stare at her for a long while before carefully moving away from her and Thistle, who promptly wriggled closer to his mother. He had given himself a quick wash when Lynxstar approached and listed off a handful of apprentices he could snag for the day. "Oh, thank you but I'm sure Stonepaw and I have got it. They can sleep in a bit before they join us in the new day." As though she'd heard her name and came running, Stonepaw promptly appeared at his side. "Off we go then," he meowed heartily, his eyes bright. Herb hunting was a medicine cat duty he'd always found peaceful. And enjoying that peace, he had to admit, was partially why he didn't particularly want to drag a bunch of sleepy apprentices along with him. Waving his tail goodbye to their leader, he set off with Stonepaw at his side.

They enjoyed a rather successful herb scavenge, returning to camp with a haul that made up for a good portion of the most basic supplies they'd need in the coming time. "We'll be doing a lot of trips like this for the next few days now, mind you," he reminded as they were padding back into camp. "We need to identify where all the plants we use grow and stock up as much as we can before leaf-bare really sets in." He was preparing to set the leaves out to dry when Lynxstar's voice rang out above the clan's activity, calling them all together. "Sunshade has found us a new location for our camp!" Surprise moved like a shock of static through him, raising all sorts of thoughts. 'That was awfully quick. Are they certain this is a place we can truly make a home in? Or are they desperate enough for a place to call camp that they'd rush into a place?" He troubled over this concern as Lynxstar instructed the cats in the hollow and they all prepared to abandon their temporary dwelling.

"Stonepaw! Come along," he called, waving the young cat over to help him, Smokewing, and Cedarmask transport their store. A familiar scent wrapped around him as Spidersilk came up behind him and rubbed her pelt up against his by way of hello. "It's rude to leave your nest with your mate before she's woken," she mewed, teasing. "Treat her like that again and you may be sleeping alone for a moon." Frogleap schooled his features into a look of dread. Spidersilk snorted. "Kit-eyes have no affect on me," she said in return to his nonverbal plea for mercy, tilting her head the other way. "However," her eyes cut back towards him, a smirk teasing the corners. "Your cute self does. I forgive you. Hold the joyous thanks, you can't afford to be dropping precious herbs." She rubbed her cheek to his, just as Thistle launched himself at his father's back. "Let's go, dad! I wanna see this new camp." Frogleap sighed, but his loving smile ruined the attempt at exasperation with his family. Giving his son a ride on his back, he followed the clan out from the hollow.

Arriving to the clearing that Sunshade had uncovered, Frogleap's earlier worries seemed to fade to the back of his mind. While cats explored the site eagerly, and at every mew of approval his heart lightened. 'StarClan, you've outdone yourselves.' Spidersilk nudged him along through the cat-congested clearing. "Frogleap, look here," she meowed, pushing forward into a dim tunnel that dipped down into the tall rock walls encircling the camp. "There's plenty of space for sick cats," her voice called back as he padded after her into the cave. His eyes adjusted as he looked about, taking it in. "What do you think, Stonepaw?" His gaze caught on the far back wall, which was lined with crannies in the stone that would store herbs suitably. Only at receiving his apprentice's--who, as FloodClan's first full medicine cat, deserved the last say in their den space--did he motion for Cedarmask and Smokewing to leave their share of the herbs there with him.

"We ought to set these to dry while we help everyone build nests." Carrying their stocks to the base of the back wall, he began the business of splaying them out. "Mom! I wanna show you what Fawnpaw and Grasspaw taught me yesterday," Thistle mewed, pulling Spidersilk out of the den only to return a fair while later with ferns and moss in tow. "Curl those around nice and thick," he instructed, Spidersilk rolling her eyes as she took orders from her son. "And now the moss! Look, dad, your nest!" Frogleap glanced back from his work, trying not to let his whiskers twitch with laughter at the sight of the sloppily constructed nest. He failed. Thistle narrowed his eyes, his little tail lashing defensively. "What're you laughing at?" "It figures that Grasspaw had a part in teaching you that. Stonepaw," he gently nudged his apprentice with a paw. "I've got the rest of this. Why don't you show Thistle how to make a proper nest?" He turned back to the work beneath his paws, while Spidersilk stepped back for the apprentice to take Thistle's side. "We can make another for you too, Stonepaw, and then the three of us will go help the rest of the clan."

+

The dawn patrol turned up nothing too exciting. Just a bit of territory with faint, far-away whiffs of the other two clans. Grasspaw spent the morning trip chattering at Rosepaw while Fawnpaw was quietly, dutifully padding at Ripplepool's side, paying close attention to every detail of their trail. "At least the weather is a bit kinder then yesterday." She flicked an ear in agreement. "Must have lost it's charming appeal. Not a swooning tree in sight," she mewed. "Maplefeather's past clan's namesake is no match for these stubborn evergreen gals," Grasspaw chimed in, earning an amused smirk from his sister.

When they returned from their morning stroll, Fawnpaw promptly found herself a seat near the edge of the hollow to groom herself while Smokewing slid past Grasspaw, advising him to grab something to eat before they leave to do a bit of training soon. Grasspaw practically shot off sparks of excitement, scuffing around enthusiastically after wolfing down a bit of prey. Fawnpaw sent him a sharp look. "Stars, would you calm down? You're making this hollow feel even smaller." He paused, only to smile at her smugly. "Jealous that I'm going out training while you'll be stuck here?" "No." "Liar." "Bite me." "You missed a spot." He leaned forward to groom the fur at her back that she could never reach properly amidst all her fluff. She bapped him on the back of the head, grumbling that she was getting to it. "Second lie of the day. You going for a record?" She shoved him off and he laughed again.

At the sound of Lynxstar making an announcement, Grasspaw bounded off to sit with Smokewing, while Fawnpaw took her place next to Skychase, mewing her first good morning to him. Grasspaw's ears perked with interest, and he sprung to his paws the moment cats started to stand and filter out of the hollow. "I guess training will have to wait!" He called back to his mentor as he and the other apprentices rallied to the front of the group of cats, all ready to be the first to catch sight of their prospective new camp. "Grasspaw, Nightpaw," Fawnpaw called out, weaving up to walk alongside them. "We should gather ferns and moss for the nests now so we can save time and start right away with building them," she suggested, already making a small detour at a clump of ferns.


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[koggthryn]

Adderstar almost always stirred in her sleep. Repressed troubles came to life in her dreams, leaving her waking with her claws dug into her nest's moss and the imprint of him in her mind, as though he'd ever dare to show his face to her again. However, this night, she was vaguely aware of a warm, strong mass in her nest, and found herself shifting closer, her breathing remaining steady and restful the whole night through. She woke to the faded scent of Owlflight clinging to her moss and a sense of happiness unfurling in her. Feeling more ready to wake than she had in a full moon, she rose to her paws and stretched her limbs. They trembled beneath her weight weakly. She looked down at herself in dismay. Her once strong frame had clearly suffered a significant loss from her lack of activity and inability to keep much prey at all down. She stared off at the exit from her den contemplatively for a good while before deciding that today was the day. She sat to give herself a thorough groom before picking her way out into the world once more.

She'd missed the sights and scents of camp so much that seeing her clan stir awake made her almost lightheaded with pleasure. Spotting Fernlight to the side of the clearing, Adderstar was making her way to the warrior when she noticed the far-away, unfocused look in her eyes. Her ears drew back in concern. 'She must've been up on another restless vigil again.' Adderstar sighed, closing the rest of the space between her and Fernlight. "Good morning," she meowed, causing Fernlight to jerk suddenly, her efforts to dispel her weariness painstakingly noticeable. And yet, when she finally focused her gaze on Adderstar, she seemed to be entirely alert. Her eyes brightened. "Adderstar!! Wow, long time no see. You come here often?" Adderstar chuckled. "You could say that. What's a little she-cat like yourself doing out here in this cold all alone?" A melodramatic sigh expelled itself from Fernlight's lungs. "Oh, you know. Biding my time until some fine tom whisks me off my paws. Until then, I'll brave the night and watch all the backs of this clan of sleeping beauties. It's tough work. Someone's got to do it." The two laughed together, the sound mingling and making its way around camp. "Okay, really now though, Fernlight," Adderstar began, sobering. "You're starting to seriously worry me. We could see about getting Tiltfeather to give you a poppy seed or two so that you could find rest easier, if you need..." The leader trailed off. Fernlight's attention had shifted from her to something over her shoulder, and dread seemed to fill her, chilling her happy flame to a fading flicker. "What are you..?" She turned, following her eyes to the entrance of the medicine cat den, where a paw-full of cats were congregating, all looking dreadful. Guilt and horror seeped into her at the sight. 'It's spreading. Stars, why did I think we could keep the cough contained to my den?' From across the camp, she could see Owlflight looking on with an expression probably identical to her own.

"Excuse me, Fernlight." She set off towards Tiltfeather's den, coming to greet her clanmates that were now falling sick to the same wet, worrisome cough she'd contracted after the last Gathering. She managed to slip into the den, sitting off to the side until the medicine cat could spare her a glance. "I can't believe this is happening right now. I suppose it was too hopeful to have thought we'd be able to keep the cough from spreading..." Emotion lined her throat thickly, and she could hardly keep her voice from cracking. She closed her eyes and swallowed, hard, before speaking once more. "I'm just here to report that I'm doing a great deal better," she said, her voice muted and not anywhere near as happy as it would've been as she stared in dismay at her cats. "Could I have your clearance to start returning to my duties? I know it's rather soon. I'll take things slow, if that will help ease your conscience at all." 'And the clan's obviously going to need me back now. Stars.'

+

"Lionpaw? We're on dawn patrol." Lionpaw's eyes blinked open and he immediately began stretching his limbs out, waking more at he did so. "Day two of delivering the wake up call, huh?" He meowed as he followed his mentor out of the apprentice den and into the clearing. The sound of laughter infiltrated his ears, drawing his attention to the side of the clearing, where Adderstar--looking abnormally thin--sat with Fernlight. Their combined notes of amusement made even him want to smile--an urge he managed to ignore. But still, just seeing his leader again was enough to make the day seem better.


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[koggthryn]

The scent of fresh-kill roused her, bringing her eyes to blink slowly open as Stormstar settled next to her, his warmth stifling a shiver that had begun to tease down her spine. Ravenstrike shifted to regard him thoughtfully, even as her whiskers twitched with curiosity at the continuation of this new development of his. 'Someone ought to have him renamed Burrstar.'

"Full bellies and warm days are fast becoming a commodity with leafbare approaching. Shall we enjoy what we can while we still can?" Her gaze followed the mouse he pushed her way, the rest of her hesitant to move. A low, rumbling purr brought her eyes to his. "I didn't mean for that to sound so glum."

"You have a whole family here Ravenstrike, if you'll allow it." Even his words were clinging to her. She'd instinctively opted to shake them off the first three or four times the line had filtering through her mind, but this time... she felt inclined to let herself enjoy the company. She allowed herself to share in his warmth, reaching out a paw to draw the mouse he'd brought closer to herself. "No worries," she mewed, breaking the eye contact she'd made with him. "The tone of dread fits the overarching theme of the season." "How was the hunt?" One ear flicked dismissively. "About as you'd expect. Prey's slowing down, but Harespring's still inspiring terror in prey across the whole of our territory. I managed to ruin a squirrel's mad dash for freedom. Think I may have put a damper on its day." She took a bite from her mouse, chewing as she spoke, attempting to be conversational.

+

Maplefeather had only just taken her first bite of the ouse when she noticed Sunwhisper shooting a glance over her shoulder towards where Redbriar was glaring at the two of them. She squinted in return, her ears flattening to her head in anticipation of being approached. But he only whirled around and left. Her demeanor relaxed significantly with his exit. "Honestly, you'd think I was trying to convince you to eat a kit." She huffed a short, exasperated laugh. Between the two of them, the mouse was polished off rather quickly. Maplefeather started to clean her paws, pausing to look Sunwhisper over. "You know," she began slowly, drawing the other she-cat's attention to her as she lowered her voice. "It probably wouldn't do you good to be seen sympathizing with me. I'd hate to be the cause of any fallout between you and Redbriar--or, stars forbid, the Clan." She couldn't help the bite of sarcasm that tinged her last word, her only attempt to cover it being her quick return to grooming her paws.


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[koggthryn]

"No. Adderstar, you should know - Greencough is extremely hard to contain. Don't beat yourself up over this." She already knew it was true, but it was still nice to hear another cat remind her. His tail at her shoulder only added to the effect. "You know normally I'd say no... but I think cats might start to worry if you don't start appearing around the clan. So you can return to tending to Duskclan. But be careful. You'll get a mouthful of disgusting herbs if you work yourself so hard you wind up back here." She bowed her head promptly, chuckling at his little threat. "Of course. Thank you for the blessing, Tiltfeather. I'll leave you to the administration of your trademark herbal wonders." With a wave of her tail, she padded out from the den.

"Is there anything I could do to help, Tiltfeather? I could lead a patrol to the old two-leg dens, doesn't there tend to be quite a bit of cat n** there?" Adderstar's head turned at the sound of Owlflight's voice offering assistance at the den's entrance. Her mounting dread was comforted to know her deputy was already putting aside her own frets in favor of taking action. 'Stars, being off the job has me rusty. You've got this,' she told herself, setting her jaw resolutely. 'Check in with the clan today. Try to boost moral. This isn't the worst DuskClan has had to survive.'


Owlflight at her side, determination spelled out on both their faces, and Adderstar was beginning to feel like her usual self already. She was just about to confer with her deputy when Rowanmask, a long-time member of both Adderstar's previous and current clan, padded directly up to her with an upbeat hello. "Adderstar! It's good to see you up and at 'em again! How are you feeling?" She practically glowed in her response. "Well enough to be back at the front of our flock once again. Glad to see some familiar faces again, that's for sure." Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Owlflight scanned the clearing worriedly for cats. A brief look around confirmed that there were very few cats left in camp for the deputy to round up herbs with. Her whiskers twitched in amusement when Owlflight reluctantly asked Rowanmask to join her. "I'll catch up with you later, Rowanmask," she mewed in farewell, watching the two, along with Swallowsong, leave the nearly deserted camp.

The day passed slowly, Adderstar being one of the few cats well enough to walk still in camp. She spoke to everyone as her clanmates trickled back into camp, trying to leave each cat in a better mood than when she approached them. For the most part, it seemed to work. Fernlight invited her to share tongues and talk with her and a few other warriors later in the evening, and that where Owlflight found her after dropping her patrol's load of catmint off with Tiltfeather. "Excuse me," Adderstar mewed before walking off with her deputy.

"Not to alarm you, but Forestfern saw our patrol returning with the catmint. I told her it wasn't much, but we were carrying a lot and I'm sure she'll inform Stormstar. I'm sorry I didn't see her in time to plan an alternate route home." Anxiety prickled her pelt, though she tried not to let it show. With FloodClan threatening their territory, and so few warriors ready to fight, they didn't need possible conflict with DawnClan. She flicked her ears, realizing that they had flattened worriedly. There was a beat of silence before she could speak. "I'm sure she will inform him. There's very little chance she wouldn't report a sight like that. It's okay--I assume you managed the situation the best you could. But this means we'll need to present as strong an image as we can at the gathering." She paused, her eyes grazing the camp. "Can you believe that in spite of everything, I'm just happy to see everyone again? I should probably be pretty severely worried, but I can't seem to summon up a single doubt in our clan." She perked herself up purposefully. "I'm going to address the clan. I think they need to hear some encouragement right about now. And hey--" She met her eyes. "Thank you. You're magnificent, I hope you know." She let her words sit between them for a heartbeat before she was off, eyes set on the boulder outside her den.

She called to her clan, taking in a view of gathering cats she she'd missed dearly. A strange warmth pressed to her flank, fleeting. 'I know you're here. Thanks, Viper.'

"Thank you all for coming. If anyone remembers, I'm Adderstar. Local leader," earning a few chuckles, she smiled and sobered up. "Words can't express how proud I am of each cat here. You've all stepped up immensely during this past moon. Owlflight, taking on the work of both a deputy and a leader in one. I can think of no cat who could handle such a load better. Griffinwing and Dragonheart, leading patrol after patrol. Lionpaw, on the verge of proving himself a warrior. Rowanmask and Ivystep, ever the loyal, non-stop cats. Tiltfeather, keeping us on the path of StarClan. Every cat here has played a crucial part in bearing the weight of running a clan. I thank each of you." She paused to make eye contact with her clanmates before going on.

"As you all know, the gathering is nearly upon us. We'll be standing our ground on every front. FloodClan will not buckle us. DawnClan will not doubt our strength of a unity." Her eyes flicked to Owlflight. "The patrol that went to fetch more catmint for Tiltfeather's store reported having been spotted by Forestfern. As a result, we're going to be increasing patrols on our DawnClan border. I'm sure no cat wants Stormstar believing we're incapable of defending our territory. I know this now means extra patrolling on both borders, and I'm aware of our shortage of warriors, of course, but your efforts have been unfailing. Every cat here pulls their weight and then some. I have no doubt that we can handle this." Ending on that, she dipped her head to her clan as a whole. "Get some sleep. You deserve it."

She leaped down from the boulder, not as graceful as normal but still on all fours, and targeted the closest cat to her. "Ivystep, could I leave you in charge of leading a dusk patrol?"

+

Dread and concern had effectively chilled Fernlight's, well, light. She hadn't even heard a word of Adderstar's worrying for her because she was having trouble processing the knot of sick cats outside Tiltfeather's den. She nodded her leader onward as she excused herself, gaze trailing after her. 'How horrible a timing for illness. Not that there's ever really a good timing, but we only just got Adderstar up and moving again...'

Cats brushed past her as they left camp to patrol or hunt--anything to be out of camp and doing something productive for the clan. Fernlight was just doing a brief head count, surprised at how few able-bodied cats they had left, when Pineheart padded up to her. "Hey, does your offer still stand to join me and Lilypaw for training?" She perked up visibly, only hesitating to look around camp once more. Without them, there wouldn't be many cats in camp, and she could foresee that being an issue. But she also couldn't fathom the idea of turning down a chance to do something right then--especially something with Pineheart. She shook her head and summoned up her voice. "Of course! I'm a cat of my word. Meet you by the entrance."

Padding alongside her friend and his apprentice, Fernlight listened as the two discussed what training should be done. It was rare for her, to mute her usual commentary, but she'd been looking forward to the chance to watch her friend with his apprentice. Her sleeplessness may have also been catching up to her. Even so, it wasn't difficult to keep her mind from it focusing on the two cats with her.

+

"I already can't wait for new-leaf. This cold is the worst." Lionpaw huffed his agreement, the warmth emitting from Morningrose tempting him to pad closer to his mentor. He was debating this course of action while Dragonheart continued, "Though you must be pretty excited Lionpaw - you'll probably be made a warrior pretty soon. Even if your vigil probably wont be great this time of year." A quiet thrill ran through him, lifting his chin even as his demeanor remained thoroughly gruff. "A cold vigil will be my last trial before joining the warrior den, then," he said, shrugging off any pessimism about the topic. In all honesty, he kind of wanted his vigil to be testing. If all the troubles plaguing their clan did no other good, he hoped it'd at least shape him into the sort of warrior his clanmates needed right now.

"Oh yes! He'll be a wonderful addition to the warriors den." Her comment warmed his pelt, making the cold almost pathetic in its attempt to chill him. Pride glowed through his typical disgruntlement, even as he let the two talk over his ears. "The more pelts to warm the den the better, at this rate. It's going to be a cold leaf-bare."

Their patrol wrapped up like any other. The return to camp was eery--most of the cats had fled to the territory for prey and herb runs. Looking around, the only other apprentice he could spot was Sandpaw. 'Pineheart must have gotten back to Lilypaw's training. It's about time.' He'd watched his denmate's spirit fall exponentially as her mentor's neglect went on. Fernlight had snapped at him once for criticizing the warrior for it, and thought Lionpaw had held his tongue from thereon out, he couldn't help his thoughts. Every cat suffered losses. Pineheart's wallowing wasn't even mourning anymore--it was self pity. And he wouldn't have cared personally if it hadn't been hurting another cat in the clan.

"Hi Lionpaw," Adderstar greeted, appearing before him. He dipped his head in greeting of his leader, welcome to the sight of her. "I've been catching up with the clan today. Hearing good things about your progress from every cat," she meowed, her eyes smiling on him as he shuffled his paws. "Just carrying out my responsibilities as any cat is expected to." "Brushing off praise. Cute," she laughed as she moved to pad past him. "Keep up the effort, kiddo. A ceremony should be coming up any day now." The hinting sing-song in her voice left the prospect of being a warrior closer to him than ever.


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