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 Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 8:14 pm
 (1- DawnClan camp, 2- Gathering Hollow, 3- DuskClan territory, 4- Moonstream branch cutting into Dawnclan territory, 5- The Great Maple)
The dense, un-cleared woodland on the opposite side of the stream from DuskClan. Near the southern border of their territory, there is a large maple tree that stands there.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 7:26 pm
 floodclαn αpprєntícє
ᴡʜᴇʀᴇxx ???
ᴡɪᴛʜxx No cat
ᴏᴏᴄxx ...
xxx◢ Leafpaw ran full tilt through the underbrush, her blood pounding in her ears so loudly that Ripplepool's calls were lost to her. Leaves and branches whipped past her, opening thin scratches on her cheeks and shoulders but she kept running. She ran even though heavy droplets of rain began to fall, but slowed when the downpour began, forcing her to take shelter. Finally, exhausted and soaked to the bone she padded into the shelter of a toppled, hollowed out tree. Her paws gave way and she collapsed onto the leaf and dirt strewn floor of her makeshift den, her dreams filled with a blood red moon and clans at war.
When Leafpaw woke that morning she bolted to her feet. She had fallen asleep with a wet pelt and it now stuck out at all angles, and a few leaves still stuck to her fur. She was confused at first, why wasn't she in FloodClan? Where was Lynxstar? Nightpaw? Then the entirety of what had happened the night before returned to her, making her small frame sag under the weight of it. "I... I made StarClan hide the moon. Lynxstar will never forgive me..." The she cat buried her face in her paws, squeaking like she hadn't since she was a kit.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 7:57 pm
 
Once out of camp, Shadowstone broke into a run; veering straight for the Gathering Hollow. As he approached the hollow, he slowed down into a silent walk; pads silent and ears alert. Moving to the spot where he remembered Floodclan entering from, he paused and lifted his muzzle to scent the air; hoping to catch even the smallest trace of the new clan. Shaking his head, the Dawnclan deputy padded a little more into the edge before he paused to scent again. This time catching the slightest scent; it was - different, but he very vaguely remembered catching a whiff of it when Sunshade joined him and Owlflight near the leader's ledge. So, putting the scent into his mind; he padded out of the hollow at an even pace; pausing every now and then to scent the air.
"How do you track a clan that obviously doesn't want to be found?" Shadowstone muttered in frustration as he scented the smell behind him; again. It felt like he was going in circles. Flopping down with a sigh, his ears twitched as he heard the small scuffle of tiny paws. Scenting the air again, this time for whatever was making the sound - he decided he would take a small break and see if he could catch something for the hungry mouths in Dawnclan - every little bit would help as they approached leafbare.
Paws moving slowly, he crept in a crouch until he was within pouncing distance and then he jumped; satisfied at the squirrel he had caught. Burying the catch to pick up when he returned home; he resumed his scouting.
Shadowstone wanted to yowl in frustration. How was one group of cats that hard to find? Suddenly, he had a strong dislike for wild garlic. Paws stopped moving as a scent wafted his way. Tilting his head in curiosity, he silently followed the scent - his curiosity growing into confusion when not only did the scent grow stronger, but it was accompanied by squeaks.
Padding to the hollowed out tree, Shadowstone peered in and green eyes widened. The code said they had to chase off trespassers. But, she looked so pitiful. He wasn't sure if he had the heart to do it. "Leafpaw?" He meowed softly when he found his voice again.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 8:23 pm
floodclαn αpprєntícє
ᴡʜᴇʀᴇxx ???
ᴡɪᴛʜxx Shadowstone?
ᴏᴏᴄxx ...
xxx◢ Leafpaw was just about done feeling sorry for herself. She was certain there was no way FloodClan would take her back now. Life as a kittypet? The idea repulsed her so badly she almost choked up a furball. Rogue life it was then. Leafpaw uncurled from her ball of self pity and began practicing her stalking on the floor of the den, keeping her paws light. She could do it. She was strong, right? Maybe. The thought of never seeing either of her clans again hurt her heart though. But she could do it! She was a heartless, battle-hardened rogu...
"Eeeep!" The sudden noise of some cat at the mouth of her den startled her out of her self pep talk and she pounced, pinning the intruder to the forest floor. "No one sneaks up on a rogue and... Oh, Shadowstone? What are you doing here?" She blinked as she stood on top of the big black tom, her green eyes meeting his. A beat passed and she realized she was still on top of him and scrambled off. "S-sorry. Am I still on DawnClan territory? I thought I had crossed the boarderline but the rain was so heavy and I just kept running and Lynxstar is never going to let me back into FloodClan so I was going to become a rogue but I'm really scared I'm going to get eaten by a fox because those things are scary and I've never fought a fox before and, and..." The she-cat knew she was babbling but she couldn't stop. She curled into a ball and hid her face in her paws. "Nevermind. You can just leave me here to die. I deserve it." Her voice was muffled but even then the sadness in her tone was almost palpable.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 8:41 pm
"Mmph" Shadowstone let out a surprised gasp as she pounced; that wasn't what he had been expecting. Rogue? What was she going on about? "Leafpaw, what are you talking about?" He murmured, pushing himself to his paws and giving his pelt a shake to get the leaves off of his fur. She sounded so pitiful; how could he bring himself to chase her off? She was an apprentice for Starclan's sake! Granted, her warrior ceremony was a bit overdue; but still.
At her babbling about foxes, Shadowstone couldn't help but let out a small purr of amusement. "Trees, Leafpaw. If you run into a fox and you don't think you can outrun it; take to a tree." He meowed, sitting down; momentarily pushing his mission to the side of his mind. Green eyes looking over the she-cat's ruffled pelt, he sighed. "Leafpaw..." He'd always hated how sad she seemed to be. She had been Stormstar's apprentice and he couldn't quite figure out his leader's problem with her; Shadowstone thought she would make a fine warrior.
She looks so skinny. Granted, Leafbare was approaching; but she looked like Floodclan didn't get much. The deputy shook his head, no - he would not gain pity for a group of cats that threatened to take Dawnclan's territory. But still... He didn't like the thought of her being pitifully sad and hungry. So the black pelted tom rose to his paws and trotted off without a word; heading for where he buried his earlier catch.
Squirrel in his jaws, Shadowstone padded back to where Leafpaw hopefully still was and dropped the prey at her paws. "I'm not a leader, Leafpaw - but one mistake shouldn't make a leader banish a cat. If Lynxstar wants to be a leader, honorable in the eyes of Starclan; he won't banish you for one mistake." He murmured, pushing the squirrel towards her with his paw.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 9:33 pm
floodclαn αpprєntícє
ᴡʜᴇʀᴇxx DawnClan Territory
ᴡɪᴛʜxx Shadowstone
ᴏᴏᴄxx ...
xxx◢ Trees. Of course, mousebrain! Why didn't I think of that? Leafpaw's thoughts raged despite the fact she kept her face hidden in her paws. She was embarrassed more than anything. She'd embarrassed herself, her clan. And in front of one of the cats she admired most, no less. The little she-cat couldn't bear to look at him, to see her shameful face reflected in his eyes. Such kind eyes, too. They were as green as new leaf... Her thoughts quieted long enough for her to realize he'd left. Well, wasn't that what you'd asked him to do? She couldn't help but feel a sting of disappointment though. She really was alone now.
Before she could start feeling sorry for herself again, she flicked an ear at the sound of approaching pawsteps. Scenting the air, her former deputy's scent filled her senses. And a scent as equally welcome. Looking up, the apprentice caught sight of the squirrel he'd brought back with him. She licked her chops as he pushed it towards her but kept herself from taking the gift. "No thanks. I can hunt just fine." She turned away from the tantalizing piece of freshkill, but winced as her stomach betrayed her bravado, choosing that exact moment to growl embarrassingly loud. "...But even a rogue could share a piece of fresh kill with a friend I suppose...." Leafpaw bent to greedily take a bite out of the squirrel. Forcing herself to chew slowly she savoured the bite and swallowed. But once she'd taken a bite she looked up at Shadowstone expectantly, refusing to take another bite until he did.
"...Thanks." The she cat avoided his gaze, cleaning her paws once she'd finished her part of the meal. She tried to get her fur to lie flat but she couldn't quite reach the spot between her shoulder blades. Sighing, she gave up, addressing his earlier question. "You're not a leader but you are a deputy. So there's no way you could have messed up as royally as I just did. Besides, I'm better off out here on my own. There aren't any cats to embarrass or disappoint here." She winced at the truth of her own words.
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 5:19 am
Shadowstone purred slightly when her stomach gave away her hunger. Although green eyes widened when she mentioned sharing the squirrel. He hadn't hunted for Dawnclan yet, he'd only just gotten up a while ago; he couldn't eat yet. So he just sat there, watching her take a bite and letting the satisfaction that she was eating fill him up instead of food. Of course, he hadn't been expecting her to look at him; waiting for him to take a bite. Shadowstone held her gaze for a few heartbeats before realizing that she wasn't going to eat unless he did as well. So the black pelted tom reached down and took a bite of the squirrel, promising Starclan that he would hunt extra hard today.
Sitting back up after the squirrel had been finished, he drew his paw over his face a few times before looking at the she-cat. At her words, Shadowstone couldn't help but laugh. "You think I'm that perfect? I'm flattered, really." He purred, reaching forward to flatten the stubborn bit of fur she seemed to have trouble reaching. "When my kin and I were new apprentices, eight moons maybe - actually it could have been within the first moon we were made apprentices. Mistfeather, Nightclaw and I decided we were the bravest apprentices Dawnclan had ever seen." He flicked his ears. "We had finished training for that day, and the three of us turned around and went back out right toward the abandoned twoleg nest. Quick note, if you ever run into an abandoned twoleg monster; don't let your curiosity make you poke your nose in there." He shrugged. "Because that, Leafpaw; is how you could quite possibly lose most of your tail." Shadowstone looked at his stump of a tail and purred. "Anyway, I'm sure if Dawnclan hadn't found us; we would have wandered into Duskclan territory and started something, I am almost sure of it."
Whiskers twitched in amusement at the thought. "So, we were stopped before we did anything too awful; but I'm sure it would have happened. Leafpaw..." Green eyes looked at the young she-cat. "Cats make mistakes. It happens. What's important is that you learn from them." Shadowstone rose to his paws and stretched, flexing his claws. "Leader's can't say anything against it because they've made mistakes too; and Lynxstar isn't Stormstar." He murmured. "Lynxstar seems to actually like you all. He wouldn't have taken you in if he didn't." Shadowstone bumped her shoulder with his. "You can't give up every time something bad happens, where would the clans be if we gave up every time trouble arose?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 6:51 pm
floodclαn αpprєntícє
ᴡʜᴇʀᴇxx DawnClan Territory
ᴡɪᴛʜxx Shadowstone
ᴏᴏᴄxx ...
xxx◢ Leafpaw's tail perked up as the tom joined her for a meal, content with good food and good company. When they finished eating and he mentioned being flattered at the way she thought of him the tips of her ears went red beneath her fur. Of course, you're amazing in every way. She thought guiltily, she'd hero-worshiped him for so long, it was unreal that they sat so close now, sharing a squirrel of all things. Would you have ever noticed me if I'd stayed in DawnClan? The question burned in the little she cat's mind but she'd probably never know the answer to that now.
She jumped slightly as he helped her flatten her unruly fur. When his tongue rasped against her back it felt nice, but she batted him away. "I'm not a kit, Shadowstone. I don't need your help." Her chest fur puffed out slightly at this. She backed away from him a tail length, though her ears were perked in his direction the entire time he spoke about his experience as an apprentice. "No way! You? Was Doestar mad?" Her earlier annoyance was completely forgotten as she got caught up in his story, watching him with green eyes big as saucers. She glanced at his tail. "Yowch, I never realized... I just thought your tail was always like that." In truth she'd found his tail to be uniquely fetching. Like a big strong bob cat.
Her countenance lifted slightly at his encouragement. "...I guess so. I mean if you've done things you regret then maybe cats as great as Lynxstar have, too." She winced at the mention of her old mentor. It was true and part of her knew he'd never liked her. But a small part of her still held out for the day she'd become a cat he'd be proud to have trained. "Stormstar likes you." She said the second part under her breath. "Anycatwouldbeamousebrainnotto." Leafpaw sighed at the truth of his words. It was her turn now, to be brave and face her mistakes. She stood shakily to her paws as he nudged her with his shoulder. Her pelt was cold from having slept soaking wet and she stood next to him a moment, enjoying the warmth of the big tom.
Imagining his strength flowing into her along with his warmth she sighed, steeling herself mentally for facing the clan once again. "Okay, I'm ready." There was a part of her that wanted to stay here forever, safe and warm with the tom she'd padded after for so long. But she knew that was impossible for many reasons. Besides, he probably already had an eye on a pretty DawnClan she-cat that wasn't constantly shooting her mouth off. But Leafpaw had chosen her path as a FloodClan cat, and she knew her loyalty would be with the clan that had adopted her. But despite her resolve she still hadn't moved from where she stood. "...But if... If you aren't busy, I wouldn't mind it so much if you walked with me to the border." She didn't make eye contact as she asked, trying not to get her hopes up.
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 7:27 pm
Shadowstone purred. "I'm not sure if mad was the right word. To this day, I don't know if I can name the expression she was wearing. Our mother, she on the other paw; she gave us a strong scolding." His eyes twinkled at the memory. The tom shook his head. "Nah, every once and a while I try to curl my tail around my paws; I have to remind myself sometimes that it's short." He wiggled his small tail. "It's fun to wiggle though." He joked.
"Oh I'm sure. You don't get that far in life without making mistakes. You got upset, that means you care. And really, that's better than not caring. It's the, needing to not let it get to you, that's the hard part to learn anyway. Some days I have trouble not pouncing on cats." Ears perked forward at her words. "Some days I feel like it's because my whole family has been in his clan-line as long as we can remember." Shadowstone shrugged. "Once you get past the... Um, passion for certain things - he's not that bad, just takes some getting used to. Although I feel bad that your apprenticeship was... Not as nice as it should have been in Dawnclan."
"Alright!" The Dawnclan tom cheered softly, intending on waiting until he was sure she was on her way. But she wasn't moving. He tilted his head in curiosity, green eyes questioning. Walk her to the border? Shadowstone glanced around, he supposed the dawn patrol could still be out; or whatever hunting patrol was sent out. He wasn't quite sure what they would do if they saw Leafpaw alone. "Yeah, let's go." The black pelted tom gently nudged her forward, silently praying that they wouldn't run into any Dawnclan cats. He did not want to explain this to Stormstar.
As they walked, a thought crossed his mind. "Leafpaw, would you mind not telling Lynxstar that I walked you to the border?" He would rather not risk the tom saying something in anger to Stormstar to try and tear the clan apart.
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 6:16 pm
floodclαn αpprєntícє
ᴡʜᴇʀᴇxx DawnClan Territory
ᴡɪᴛʜxx Shadowstone
ᴏᴏᴄxx ...
xxx◢ Leafpaw's nose scrunched up in thought as she tried to picture the dark furred deputy as a mischievous apprentice getting underpaw and into all sorts of trouble. It was hard to imagine, but she didn't think he could possibly make that up as the story was both believable and fascinating.
The little tabby she cat grew serious as he spoke of her ex-clan. "Nah, that's not it. My mom grew up with Stormstar, she said they got along and that I should just try harder to be a better apprentice." Her whiskers twitched at the thought. She and her mother butted heads a lot, she had always been more of her father's kit. He liked hunting rabbits like she did. And he always said her wicked speed came from his side. "What's done is done. I've chosen my path in FloodClan now, and someday Stormstar will see me as a warrior, and maybe that I'm stronger than he thought." And maybe you too, Shadowstone she thought with a glimmer of hope.
When he agreed to accompany her to the border her tail perked up and she got to her paws enthusiastically when he nudged her to her feet. They walked shoulder-to-shoulder in companionable silence until Shadowstone spoke up again, asking her to keep the fact that they'd met up from Lynxstar. An uneasy feeling filled her belly at this, she didn't like keeping secrets from her leader and mentor. But she reasoned that it'd be better that her leader didn't know she'd spoken to anyone from DawnClan, as her loyalty to her clan could already be in question since she ran away. "Okay, Shadowstone." And if she were honest, she liked the thought of sharing something with the tom, something only the two of them knew.
"But I've got something to ask, too." Her big green eyes met his imploringly "Lynxstar and Sunshade went through a lot of trouble to make sure our camp was a secret... Can you not tell Stormstar you saw where I went?" Leafpaw was no traitor, she hoped Shadowstone would keep her secret, too.
As they walked she felt her heart sinking slowly. With every pawstep they drew closer to the border, which would mean facing rightfully angry clanmates. But also parting ways with Shadowstone again, and likely for the last time in a long while as she doubted Lynxstar would take her to another Gathering anytime soon. So Leafpaw tried not to think of who was waiting to pad after Shadowstone back in DawnClan, but chose instead to enjoy his warmth and commit his scent to memory as they padded together. Just a little longer. I hate goodbyes...
All too soon for the little she cat they reached the last scent marker on the outer border of DawnClan. She looked up at Shadowstone, with a smile that was genuine but held a hint of sadness too. "Thank you, for everything." She touched her nose to his shoulder in a grateful gesture, but as she looked back up at him she misjudged how far away his face was and they bumped noses lightly. Eyes going wide for a moment she pulled away, backing up a few paw steps until she looked at him from across the scent marker. ".....Goodbye, Shadowstone." Before she could lose her courage she turned and broke into a run, zig zagging through the underbrush in the general direction of FloodClan.
Musicante D'awwh, thanks! She has her moments, baha.
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Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:53 am
Shadowstone nodded at Leafpaw's words, padding along in silence for a few heartbeats before he spoke up. "You'll make a fine warrior." He murmured, keeping sight of how far they were from Dawnclan's borders.
The black pelted tom hummed when Leafpaw mentioned she had something to ask of him as well. It only seemed fair, he was asking a lot of her - keeping something from her new leader, but if he was going to keep it from Stormstar, he needed no one else to know. At the she-cat's request, Shadowstone's paws came to a stop. His whole reason for being out here was to find out where Floodclan set up camp. She was asking him not to tell him? Green eyes looked down at Leafpaw for a moment before he glanced back in the direction of his camp. "I..." He looked back to Leafpaw. It wouldn't hurt to keep them from finding out for a little while longer, would it? He could just say he didn't have much luck because of the rain and the garlic stench.
Shadowstone closed his eyes for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. She was asking a lot of him, he was Stormstar's second-paw cat. "Okay." He breathed out finally, giving his head a shake as they resumed their walking. He could just, not look? Then he wouldn't be lying.
Slowing to a stop once they reached Dawnclan's borders, he blinked in surprise when they bumped noses; an amused purr sounding. "Until next time, Leafpaw. Maybe you'll be a warrior next time, eh?" He purred lightly, before turning his whole body around so he wasn't looking at wherever she was running off to. When he was met with silence, Shadowstone looked back for a moment before beginning his trek back to camp with a shake of his head.
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