ThunderClan
Leader: Ashstar-dark gray tom with ice blue eyes
Deputy- Fogslash-gray tom with blue-green eyes
Medicine cat- Brindlethorn- handsome brindle tom with black tabby stripes, white chest, and green eyes
Warriors:
Blazingfire-reddish brown tom with blue eyes
Flakewing-Long furred pure white she-cat with dark blue eyes
Jaggedstorm- dark gray tom with messy fur and pale blue eyes
Gingerpatch-ginger, white and brown patched she-cat
Dewfur-blue gray tabby tom
Coalclaw-gray and black tom with pale blue eyes (apprentice, Mousepaw)
Foxmask-ginger tabby she-cat with white mask and green eyes
Galeleap-gray tabby tom with amber eyes (apprentice, Swiftpaw)
Badgerflame- dark brown and calico tom with orange eyes
Shadowclaw-dusky gray tom with black paws and green eyes
Runningleap-pretty, brown tabby she-cat with white chest and amber eyes
Smallcloud-small white she-cat with thick fur and amber eyes
Briarpath-dark brown tabby she-cat with light brown stripes and green eyes
Bouldercreek- light gray tom with black spots, white paws, and blue eyes (apprentice, Sweetpaw)
Ebonystream-A sleek pure black she-cat with icy blue eyes
Robinfeather-brown and ginger tabby tom with bright blue eyes
Thorntail-bright, tawny tom with blue eyes
Apprentices:
Sweetpaw-pretty white she-cat with ginger patches
Mousepaw-small dark gray tomwith amber eyes
Swiftpaw- gold and brown tabby tom with amber eyes
Queens:
Larkspirit- beautiful tawny she-cat with dark brown paws and ear tips. Icy blue eyes (Kits: Mistkit-dark gray she-cat with bright blue eyes, (adopted) Dawnkit-beautiful and fluffy white she-cat with black splotches and pale gray eyes, (adopted) Ivykit- a silver she-kit with gray and white blotches, white paws as well as tail-tip, and sapphire blue eyes)
Gingerspots-white she-cat with ginger spots and blue eyes (Kits: Flamekit-small ginger she-cat with darker tabby stripes, a white splash on her muzzle, and green eyes. Smokeykit-small gray she-cat with white flecks and blue-green eyes, Snowykit-fluffy white she-cat with green eyes)
Elders:
Sootfur- black tom with graying muzzle and dull amber eyes
Dewspots-pale, spotted blue gray she-cat with blue eyes
-.-.-.-.-
Chapter one
Her paw steps were slightly stiff as she padded out of her new den, eyes low and vision blurry as Dawnpaw sat placidly in front of the entrance. It was a quaint little den outside of Brindlethorn's. Weather-resistant like the apprentice's den, but decorated with a fresh lichen curtain and scented with small and sweet smelling yarrow flowers. A nice touch, considering it was just recently hollowed out for her when previously used for extra dens and herb storage.
A wide yawn parted Dawnpaw's jaws, fully rousing her from her sleepy state as the sun slowly rose in the sky; briefly lightening her pale gray eyes to an shining silver as they followed its brilliant ascension. The light of the sun erased the dark blue hue of night in its rise and painted the sky in bright hues of orange, yellow, and lavender. Dawnpaw purred as she flexed her claws over the springy green grass beneath her paws; enjoying the feel of it as the chill from the night before dissipated in the growing warm rays. There was no doubt that new-leaf was every Clan's favorite season…
Dawnpaw blinked lazily as movement across the clearing caught her attention and her eyes flashed to the warriors den as Fogslash drowsily padded out. His paw steps were slow but he continued on dutifully; fulfilling his active role as deputy with each passing day. By habit more so than diligence he looked toward the nursery before spotting her outside her den. He sent Dawnpaw a curt nod before he disappeared behind the lichen curtain in from of Ashstar's den.
It didn't bother her despite becoming an apprentice just yesterday. Dawnpaw was always up at this hour; if not only to watch the sunrise it was to watch ThunderClan—her Clan—awaken. Dawnpaw considered ThunderClan as being somewhat of her responsibility, ever since her early moons in the nursery, and dreamt of being a Medicine Cat ever since the occupation was presented to her; though briefly. Medicine Cat's had to mend and take care of the clan; providing wisdom and advice to the leader and troubled warriors, skillfully healing the smallest kit to the most seasoned elder. It may not be as glorified a position as Clan Leader but it was equally important; and equally shared in responsibility.
Dawnpaw loved ThunderClan. ThunderClan was full of noble, loyal warriors; all willing to die for the protection and well-being of the clan. ThunderClan was prosperous. ThunderClan was valiant. ThunderClan was pure.
There were no loners or kittypets or rogues dwelling in ThunderClan—in any of the clans really—but Dawnpaw's demeanor darkened as her thoughts drifted to them. She hated rogues—despised them. Rogues were usually responsible for the death of many Clan cats. Intrusive, hostile, and brutal by nature, Dawnpaw has seen many of her Clan-mates enter camp injured or worse because of rogues; some even sick after an encounter. Dawnpaw knew that it was the life of a warrior to experience these trials and tribulations—but that didn't stop her from realizing that rogues were a rising 'epidemic' that had to be extinguished.
Some way…
Dawnpaw snapped out of her reverie and her ears perked up attentively when she noticed Fogslash trotting across the clearing and back toward the warriors den. His movements were livelier now that his previous lethargy was shaken away and his blue-green eyes held more of their usual spark; though his gray pelt was still a bit ruffled. Mere moments after entering Fogslash was out of the warriors den again, and padded across camp to wait patiently at the entrance for his dawn patrol to assemble.
Dawnpaw watched as Foxmask, Galeleap, and Bouldercreek slowly padded out of the den. All of them slow like Fogslash had been yet moving at a slightly faster pace. The warriors made a beeline for the entrance but Bouldercreek and Galeleap were the ones to veer away from the small group; most likely to wake their apprentices—Sweetpaw and Swiftpaw.
After a few moments pause Swiftpaw was the first out the apprentice den. The bouncy gold and brown tabby tom briefly touched noses with his mentor and his amber eyes shined in glee as he was about to go on his first patrol. Sweetpaw smiled at her den mate as she padded out, remembering fondly how excited she used to be and briefly shook her head at Galeleap and Swiftpaw as the gray tabby tom tiredly fussed at his apprentice over his skittish display. The ginger and white she-cat sat down and quickly rasped her tongue over her fur, fixing the areas that were flattened in her sleep.
Being an experienced warrior Galeleap merely yawned as his apprentice bombarded him with questions about the rest of the day and blinked the sleep out of his amber eyes. The gray tabby tapped Swiftpaw with his tail and padded away to join the patrol. Swiftpaw followed in a steady trot before pausing mid-step when he caught Dawnpaw's eye and took the moment to bolt across the clearing toward her.
"Mornin' Dawnpaw!" Swiftpaw panted slightly and glanced over his shoulder to make sure the dawn patrol wasn't waiting on him before adding smugly. "Ready for your first day as an apprentice? It's not gonna be easy y'know…"
Dawnkit chuckled, not at Swiftpaw's little remark but at how blatantly he was trying to sound like a seasoned apprentice while the fur on one side of his face was ruffled like feather down. "True…but while you're out patrolling the border's, I'll be collecting herbs and learning of their medicinal qualities. It'll be a long day…but I won't be yowling about sore pads and small twigs." Dawnpaw quipped playfully.
"It felt like a thorn!" Swiftpaw meowed defensively, but at Dawnpaw's casual shrug he merely smirked and playfully boxed one her ears for a few heartbeats; knowing that she was referring to yesterday's events.
"Is Ivypaw awake yet?" Dawnpaw asked after ducking below the playful tom's swipes at her head. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, it was obvious to Dawnpaw that Swiftpaw had a soft spot for her sister Ivypaw. And from her scent clinging lightly to Swiftpaw's pelt, it was no mystery to which den she'd slept by last night. Dawnpaw could already see Swiftpaw preparing Ivypaw's nest the day before their apprentice ceremony. Though it was no surprise that he joked with the other apprentices about how roomy it was in the apprentice den. Ivypaw however didn't really notice—being enamored with her small crush on the young warrior Robinfeather—but didn't shun Swiftpaw's kindness and light affection either. It was cute…
"No not yet. Probably by the time we get back from dawn patrol though." Swiftpaw mewed. His ears pricked when Sweetpaw called to him from across the clearing with a quick mew of his name after she finished grooming. Swiftpaw nodded curtly in farewell, responsibly leaving to his duties and bounded off, unaware of how Dawnpaw absently didn't return it. She was watching Sweetpaw.
The pretty white and ginger she-cat was regularly in and out of Brindlethorn's den. Sweetpaw would never be as reckless as Swiftpaw or clumsy as Dustpaw; so injuries, though natural to any cat, weren't common. Sweetpaw was just…sickly. Before Dawnpaw was even apprenticed, there were times she would hear a few coughs from Sweetpaw before the she-cat entered the apprentice den some nights; or notice how she would politely ask for a little tansy some days.
Everyone in the clan understood—always treating her normally, but Dawnpaw held an amused sympathy for her. Knowing that Sweetpaw found it bothersome and sometimes a little embarrassing when she would acquire an occasional hacking cough resembling the quack of a duck. Sweetpaw never complained however and kept a smile on her face while she carried out her duties like any other cat. Sweetpaw was tough, and would one day become a true warrior, which is why Dawnpaw had come to admire her.
When everyone in the dawn patrol was finally at the entrance, Fogslash made single flick of his gray tail and they departed. Dawnpaw took it as her signal to pad into Brindlethorn's den. She held her fluffy white tail up high and curled over her back although his den was mere couple tail-lengths away but with every step her walk became more of a prance. Dawnpaw poked her head in through the thin lichen curtain in front of the Medicine cats den and muffled a snicker when she saw Brindlethorn; lying leisurely on his side with a silly smirk on his face, still snoozing as he lay in the early morning sunlight. He'd never actually slept in his nest.
As she snuck past Brindlethorn, setting her paws down as lightly as if she were stalking a mouse, she couldn't help but grin as she failed to resist temptation and snuck a peek into his storage.
Wanting a hint of their first task today, she glanced from herb to herb.
Comfrey…chamomile…burdock root, marigold; low on some borage leaves and lavender, but having plenty of poppy seeds, tansy, watermint and chervil. Dawnkit felt almost mesmerized, her pale gray eyes shining in excitement. Knowing a few but clueless to the identity of many others.
Dawnpaw purred as a silly grin etched across her face with her tail waving behind her in delight. So many warriors and apprentices and elders would need these one day; and possibly even today! And she would know exactly how to—
"Couldn't wait a couple more hours huh?"
Dawnpaw let out a high-pitched squeal as she leaped a few tail-lengths into the air; her fur fluffed out and bristled wildly in surprise as she landed on her paws, stumbling and slipping in her startled haste as she scrambled all the way to the back of the den. Her pale gray eyes bulged as she scanned the den, her back arched and tail stiff as she glanced around to see who'd spotted her. But at seeing no one but Brindlethorn, lying in the same position as when she'd found him, Dawnpaw's ragged breathing rapidly calmed. She snorted, annoyed, and hastily started to groom her fur back into place.
Brindlethorn slowly sat up and lifted up his rear he curved his back into a luxurious morning stretch. Dawnkit paused, mid lick, and looked up from smoothing her chest and glared at the smirk on Brindlethorns' face when she heard deep chucking resonating from him before continuing. Brindlethorn was cognizant of her presence from the moment the she-cat exited her den; he woke up during her light conversation with the apprentice Swiftpaw. He was always a light sleeper; but decided to feign sleep instead when his apprentice entered his den; and watched her from the corner of his eye from when she examined his herbs to now.
Startling her was just a bonus.
Brindlethorn turned his head to face outside but Dawnpaw could still see his stupid grin. Light beaming in through the thin lichen curtain, shined on Brindlethorn and a green glimmer flitted in her vision for a moment from one of his eyes. She could see the amusement in his half-lidded expression, but Dawnpaw couldn't stay mad for long; her reaction would have been funny to anyone who witnessed it.
"Good morning Brindlethorn, Dawnpaw."
To Dawnpaw's surprise she heard Briarpath—Ivypaw's mentor. Her sister wasn't usually up at this hour but at seeing the dark brown pelt of Briarpath beside Ivypaw, she was no longer surprised. Dawnpaw padded outside of the den to greet them alongside her mentor and purred as she admired her sister's pretty silver, gray and white fur, groomed to a glossy sheen. "Briarpath is taking me out for an early morning hunting lessons. 'The prey is always early to rise'" Ivypaw quoted informatively. Her sapphire eyes were shining but Dawnpaw noticed Briarpath give her chest a few sheepish licks. Ivypaw was her first apprentice, and she was already being quoted…
"Where will you to be hunting?" Brindlethorn asked conversationally.
"Near the WindClan border," Briarpath mewed. "There are plenty of field mice and sparrows foraging around there and I figure they'd be good practice for now."
"We'll join you two. Dawnpaw and I need to stock up on a few herbs anyway." Brindlethorn murmured. He caught the small, excited exchange between Briarpath and Ivypaw; knowing that it was just the answer they were hoping for. Ivypaw for the company of Dawnpaw and Briarpath for the company of himself—why else would they stop by? Brindlethorn found it entertaining.
Ivypaw padded a tail-length behind with Dawnpaw as she and her sisters' mentor lead the way out of camp. Her nose wrinkled as the sweet and tangy scent of herbs washed over her as the two of them shared a quick, affectionate nuzzle; excited for the chance to train together; if only somewhat."I see I'm gonna have to get used your new scent."
Dawnkit blinked and shrugged her shoulders genially. "I'm gonna be carrying it around from now on…but I'm sure you'll hardly notice it before long unless it lingers in the apprentice den."
Ivypaw gave her sister a questionable look and Dawnpaw smirked before she caught on. "I might stop by to say goodnight to you and Swiftpaw tonight."
The two sisters shared a laugh when Ivypaw confirmed Dawnpaw's suspicions of Swiftpaw already having her nest made and described what happened the night after her first day of apprenticeship. From the light banter of the apprentices over low space to the bumbling explanation from Swiftpaw on how her nest was conveniently there and next to his. They chatted amongst each other as they padded out of the camp; the hype of being outside still residing within them but dying down after their first apprenticeship day.
Ivypaw crinkled her nose as a musky scent wafted to her nose; she paused and opened her mouth to take it in more vividly. It wasn't a bad smell, just different, and lightly scented of heather of well. Dawnpaw padded a few steps ahead of her sister before noticing that she stopped. Her paw-prints imprinted slightly in the soft soil beneath undergrowth deciduous to ThunderClan as she turned to look at her sister, curious. "I smell something…prey I'm sure, but I don't know what." Ivypaw murmured.
"It's most likely rabbit." Briarpath mewed, leaving Brindlethorn's side to pad toward her apprentice. The dark brown she-cat sat down beside Ivypaw and tapped her flank with her tail. "Rabbits are WindClan's main prey, but sometimes they tend to forage over in ThunderClan territory as well. See if you can scent anything else…"
Dawnpaw watched absently while Ivypaw and Briarpath continued on in their lesson. They would occasionally pad closer toward or walk along the border; and from Ivypaw's eager questions and Briarpath's equally willing answers it was clear that the two were enjoying themselves. Ashstar had picked a good match when he matched the two she-cats together.
Brindlethorn draped his tail over Dawnpaw's back and lead her away so the two of them could begin the training of her own. Dawnpaw's eyes were focused on Ivypaw and Briarpath, not entirely interested on their hunting lesson now that they were nearing out of earshot…but on their pelts; gleaming slightly in the sunlight shining through the leaves overhead. She subconsciously wondered if the black splotches on her white fur gave her a more graceful look, like the patchwork of colors on Ivypaw's, or dulled her fur instead of exemplifying its beauty like the light brown tabby stripes on Briarpath's.
Brindlethorn glanced back at his apprentice and followed her gaze toward her sister; noticing her plight when Dawnpaw glanced over her pelt. Brindlethorn appeared casual when he slightly tightened his tail around her shoulders and gently yanked her ahead. Successfully knocking her out of her reverie, Dawnpaw looked up in surprise before realizing the soft grass of the moor was beneath her paws and quickly halted.
It was only when Brindlethorn felt his tail slip away from Dawnpaw did he stop his steady trot into WindClan. "What's the matter?" He asked, face quizzical.
"We're in WindClan…I thought that was against the warrior-code." Dawnpaw murmured sheepishly, she glanced back over the border to see her sister was now nowhere in sight…but couldn't fight the heat of slight embarrassment beginning to burn her ears as Brindlethorn let out a charming (annoying in her ears) laugh.
"Medicine cats' aren't affected by territorial boundaries of the other clans," Brindlethorn meowed, and—not wanting an attitude to spike, cuffed her ear good-naturedly when he sensed her embarrassment. "Now come on, in WindClan we can find a plethora of herbs. Some I'm sure you'll recognize by sight…are you ready?" Brindlethorn mewed, promptly changing the subject.
Dawnpaw held Brindlethorn's gaze, assuring him that she was paying attention; but… she felt an odd sensation pass through her from ears to tail-tip that made her heart skip a beat. Dawnpaw felt as if she could stare forever into Brindlethorn's eyes, seemingly lost in their deep green depths. It was almost as if everything around her didn't exist but also the trials and tribulations of hard times brought about by seasons to come would all be fine with Brindlethorn beside her, guiding her along the path of a Medicine Cat until she was confident with her intuition alone.
Was this the bond brought upon between a mentor and apprentice?
"Yep! Let's go," Dawnpaw meowed excitedly. Her paws tingled as she padded deeper into the moor; eyes wide and focused.
Today was the start of her destiny…
-.-.-.-.-.-
And there we have it folks! Chapter one! Finally!
Next chapter: WindClan.