WindClan
Leader: Gorsestar-pale brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes
Deputy: Stonepelt-Grey tom with blue eyes
Medicine cat- Grasswhisker- light gray tom with grass-green eyes and long white whiskers, has a bit of black on his muzzle and ears
Warriors:
Ashfur-dark gray tom with green eyes
Sunflake-golden she-cat with white spots here and there, bright blue eyes
Sparkfur-pale golden tom with penetrating bright blue eyes (apprentice, Blazepaw)
Honeyear-pale golden she-cat with darker ears and cloudy gray-blue eyes
Featherfur-fluffy gray she-cat with green eyes
Acidclaw-large black tom with fierce amber eyes and unusually long, sharp claws (apprentice, Silkpaw)
Smallstep-small, golden-brown tabby she-cat with orange eyes (apprentice, Honeypaw)
Cloudfire- Ginger she-cat with white paws and brown eyes
Softbreeze-pale gray she-cat
Swanwing-small, lithe white she-cat with black paws, tail tip, and dark blue eyes
Spottedtail-dusky white tom with black spotted tail and green eyes
Frostnose-pale ginger and white she-cat with pale pink nose and bright gray eyes
Brownfoot-small, brown and white she-cat
Goldenbear- large, heavy set golden brown tabby tom with small ears and a stubby tail
Emberfire-Grey and orange tom with green eyes (apprentice, Twigpaw)
Apprentices:
Silkpaw-small, fluffy white she-cat with gentle green eyes
Honeypaw-golden she-cat with green eyes
Blazepaw-Dark ginger tom with black speckles around his light amber eyes
Twigpaw-Brown tabby tom with amber eyes
Queens:
Whitefeather- pure white tabby she-cat with blue-green eyes and a bit of silver on her muzzle (expecting)
Elders:
Smallfoot- small ginger tom with stone gray eyes
Robintail-brown tabby tom
Harefur-pale gray she-cat with amber eyes
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Chapter two
"How about a bet Blazepaw?"
"A bet for what?"
"Just for fun. We're both gonna be on the hunting patrol at sunhigh, so let's see who can catch a hare first."
A gentle breeze carried over the moor, giving the grass a billowing effect as the ripple it made had a sheen in the sun that looked like silver waves flowing over the WindClan moor. Newleaf was always kind. If not in softening the tall green stalks of grass previously brittle and sharp from leafbare with its warm breeze, than in merely awakening the prey with its new growth.
Twigpaw gulped as he carefully set his paws down beneath him; diligently stepping over and around any rocks or sticks or dead grass—all of which could alert his prey with its shift or snap or crunch. His belly gently brushed the ground as he slipped thru the soft folds of greenery, silent as a snake in his approach. Being only a few fox-lengths away…Twigpaw's amber eyes gleamed as he focused on the hare in front of him; and the muscles in his lean brown tabby legs bunched up in anticipation, ready to spring him forward.
Twigpaw licked around his muzzle as he took a couple more steps forward. He was determined to catch this hare. If not only for the Clan, then to save face…
"You really want too? We're only a moon into our apprenticeship and newleaf has just begun. I doubt the field is already teeming with prey—
"Aw, c'mon Blazepaw! What's a little competition? It'll be good for us!"
Twigpaw curled his mouth into a smug grin. It's true…competition was good for them; which was why when Twigpaw won the bet, the victory would be all the more as sweet. The brown tabby apprentice lifted his haunches into the air; and after a moment's pause he released the stored energy in his hind legs and darted toward the hare, growling cockily as he closed in. The hare rose up on its hind legs immediately, startled out of its foraging when its keen ears caught the loud whisper of swiftly parting grass.
Twigpaw ran hard when the hare began streaking away. It was slowly gaining ground, tearing ahead in leaps and bounds and Twigpaw snarled in frustration. The hare tried to break his steady stride by occasionally darting in zigzags, but it was gradually getting clumsy in its desperation to escape him. Twigpaw was adamant, but decided to go out on a limb as he dug his claws into the ground for extra leverage and sprang forward, legs outstretched and teeth bore in determination. It was his intention to end the kill, but when the hare suddenly skirted off to the side and a dark ginger lump was now in his path Twigpaw yowled and scrambled wildly in the air after realizing what it was.
Blazepaw blinked in confusion as he crouched over his kill, and his light amber eyes narrowed in his uncertainty as he sniffed it gingerly. His ginger fur bristled when he sensed an approach and the tom barely ducked in time as a light brown blur sailed over him. Blazepaw cringed at the rough crash; knowing the tearing grass and snapping sticks and unearthed pebbles couldn't have felt good, but blinked in amusement as the brown blur—now identified as Twigpaw—skidded and rolled in the dirt, flailing his limbs in an effort to right himself.
After a few heartbeats Twigpaw had finally slowed to a stop, and as he got to his paws he coughed violently when the dirt and dust in the air sharply entered his lungs after an intake of breath. Twigpaw snorted, annoyed, and shook his tabby pelt to clear it of the debris and in morbid foresight he could imagine tasting mud on his tongue if he decided to groom later. His ears flushed hot with embarrassment when Blazepaw approached him, looking smug, and silently telling Twigpaw that he'd seen the whole display.
"Nice, uh…" Blazepaw chuckled, not looking his friend in the eye. Twigpaw glared at the ginger tom but cuffed his ear good-naturedly. "I don't know what you were chasing…but did you catch a hare?"
Twigpaw's eyes widened for a moment and he scuffed his paw in the grass, "No—I—uhh, couldn't scent any…" He lied, and looked off into the distance in case his amber eyes gave anything away.
Relief briefly washed over Twigpaw when Blazepaw merely nodded, done with questions and unsuspecting. "I caught something…" The ginger tom murmured and Twigpaw padded with him back to his kill. "Not too sure what is though…"
Twigpaw stared down at Blazepaw's kill, and scrunched up his face as he crouched down to sniff it. "I think it's a prairie dog."
"A what?"
"A prairie dog," Twigpaw repeated, as he looked down at the stout bodied brown rodent that somewhat looked like a cross between a squirrel and a chipmunk. "I vaguely remember Smallfoot telling me about something like it as a kit. I think he said it looked like this…and Robintail said they aren't too hard to catch but…if one spots you, somehow they bark—almost like dogs, and a whole bunch of them come out of burrows and make an annoying racket that warns off a lot of prey."
"Good thing it was pretty far from its burrow then. Wherever it is… " Blazepaw murmured and scooped the plump brown rodent up in his jaws as he and Twigpaw began padding back to camp; it was mouthful but it would be a good meal to share later. Maybe even with Silkpaw… He thought, his light amber eyes buoyant, but at feeling a pair of eyes on him Blazepaw growled and shouldered Twigpaw a few steps away from him.
Twigpaw was staring at Blazepaw perceptively; face sly and teasing as he saw the thought that crossed his friend's mind. He knew Blazepaw had a crush on Silkpaw; and Twigpaw had to admit, the fluffy white-she cat was attractive—Twigpaw only hoped that his ginger friend would actually make a move this time. He and the white she-cat were hardly friends. Blazepaw slowed to a stop as he set down his prey and sat back on his haunches. "You wanna catch a crow or a field mouse or something? We were assigned to a hunting patrol."
Twigpaw stopped a few tail-lengths ahead of Blazepaw, half-facing him as he narrowed his eyes in contemplation. He looked at Blazepaw, watching for a moment as the ginger tom slightly flexed his jaws before catching his eye. Blazepaw gave him a small nonchalant shrug, showing he didn't mind waiting, but Twigpaw decided against it.
"Nah…I remember burying a sparrow closer to camp so we can get on the way. Sparkfur and Emberfire will be expecting us back soon."
-.-.-.-.-
"Now I want you stay off of that leg, Honeyear. It's fine that you were able to walk through the pain but you were fortunate to have only wrenched your leg in that rabbit hole so near camp." Grasswhisker mewed as he plucked a few petals from marigold. Grasswhisker then grabbed a large beech leaf and squished as much juice out of the petals as he could before gently rubbing the juices over Honeyear's stiff leg to bring down the swelling. "Now let the marigold juices sit for a while. I want you to stay in my den until sunhigh tomorrow to make sure your leg doesn't slip out of its socket."
"That's fine…" Honeyear murmured contently. Grasswhisker glanced up from his work for a moment and almost smirked despite the situation. Though still bright and attentive, he could tell in Honeyear's cloudy gray-blue eyes that she was actually a bit glad to receive a break from her warrior duties. He could see from the moment she was brought in that she was slightly weary—but the pale golden she-cat let out a light snort regardless. It was likely the only protest he would get compared the usual ornery remarks he'd get from Sunflake. It wasn't that Grasswhisker preferred any warrior over the other—he was just happy to have received the more docile of the siblings in his den.
"Grasswhisker…could you also look at my pad? It's been bothering me all morning." Honeyear gingerly lifted up a forepaw and held it out for the light gray tom to see. Grasswhisker stepped forward and narrowed his grass green eyes at spotting a small thorn wedged deeply within her pad. A few small beads of blood were beginning to form around the thorn, but fortunately the sour scent of infection was far off.
"This'll hurt a bit." Grasswhisker murmured. It took a couple attempts to grip the small, sharp structure between his teeth and at being stirred the thorn caused the wound to bleed a bit more freely. Grasswhisker ignored the metallic tang on his tongue as Honeyear's blood seeped onto his teeth and looked up at the pale golden warrior to check if she was ready. Honeyear gave him a curt nod but didn't watch, firmly casting her gaze elsewhere; really not caring whether he slid it out or ripped it out so long as the pain would cease. The light gray medicine cat was sure to keep his grip and slowly pulled outward, deftly making sure the thorn wouldn't delve back inside. Grasswhisker paused at feeling some resistance, and at seeing the thorn connected thinly to the skin as if bonded he sharply pulled it out to break it.
Honeyear's muzzle wrinkled and she narrowed her eyes in a small wince. A tiny spurt of blood arced onto the ground and spotted Grasswhisker's muzzle in the thorn's release, but at feeling the pain leaving her body seemingly with the blood Honeyear let out a small purr at the relief, clearly grateful. "I'll get some cobwebs,"
"Umm…Grasswhisker?"
The light gray tom scooped up a few cobwebs and turned to the entrance to see Silkpaw. The white she-cat wasn't looking at him though. Her head was turned, and her bright green eyes gazed out into camp but were narrowed in a disapproving stare as if watching a naughty kit. Her posture was rigid and her muzzle was wrinkled—not in a snarl—but clearly shown her mood of disgust. At her expression, Grasswhisker gently smiled, and quickly cleaned himself up for Silkpaw's sake. He padded toward the apprentice and sat down in front of her, using his superior size to block the view of his patient. "Yes Silkpaw?" He murmured and dipped his head.
"Gorsestar would like to talk to you in her den. Acidclaw too…I don't know why…but I'm sure it's about me." Silkpaw mewed, her expression was softer now but Grasswhisker could still detect a slight grumble. She and her mentor were at odds again.
"Alright," Grasswhisker mewed. "I'll walk with you as soon as I finish with Honeyear." Grasswhisker lightly set his tail on Silkpaw's shoulder, his eyes gentle and reassuring. Silkpaw gave him a curt nod. She padded out of the den to wait outside as Grasswhisker returned to Honeyear. He took his paw-ful of cobwebs and began to blot Honeyear's pad to clean up the blood before firmly pressing them in place.
He didn't have to look directly at the pale golden she-cat to know that she was watching Silkpaw, and had heard their conversation. Everyone in camp—except maybe the apprentices—knew that Silkpaw was a bit soft when it came to fighting, and why one look at the blood slowly dripping from Honeyear's pad made the white apprentice want to blanch. She was squeamish, a characteristic uncommon but clearly possible. And if it weren't made obvious from Acidclaw's occasional sour mood and disgruntled commentary, it was frustrating to have an apprentice that was such an anomaly.
Acidclaw was…a bit of a brutal warrior. He came from a hard background—and, handles situations as he sees fit. Though notably Acidclaw was usually one for violence and fighting, favoring to attack first and ask questions later, and inspiring the short-sighted judgment that his life would begin and end in blood; however, he's truly a loyal warrior, and would never attack his clan-mates. Intimidation comes naturally with his size and tough demeanor, but Acidclaw is…approachable. He just doesn't tolerate much, and his patience often wears thin, but he is cunning; and as valuable an asset to the clan as every other WindClan warrior.
When Gorsestar assigned him as a mentor to Silkpaw, Grasswhisker could sense her intentions; but in hindsight, maybe it wasn't the best decision to get the fluffy white she-cat over her squeamish and pacifistic-like nature. The mentor and apprentice were almost always at odds, clashing with their ideals and beliefs with how to handle things. When faced with a trespassing, Acidclaw wanted to fight or give chase while Silkpaw wanted to talk or give warning; when faced with transgression, Acidclaw believed in facing it head-on while Silkpaw favored positive reinforcement. Very yin and yang.
Grasswhisker was sure the reason Gorsestar wanted to see him was because of another disagreement between the mentor and the apprentice if not only for moral support. "I'll be back soon enough Honeyear; get some rest in the meantime." Grasswhisker mewed as he finished addressing her wound, and only began padding away when the pale golden she-cat gave him a curt nod and settled in a nest.
He padded with Silkpaw to Gorsestar's den, his fur slightly brushing hers reassuringly though that didn't appear to lighten the she-cat's irate mood. Once they reached the den and soundly padded inside Grasswhisker shared a look with Gorsestar, and noticed how the brown tabby she-cat quickly twitched her whiskers to erase the amused smile creeping onto her face at seeing Acidclaw and Silkpaw in the same den.
Acidclaw sat a bit off the side, body ridged and face contorted into a fierce frown. His amber eyes were narrowed and dark and scorching even the dim light of the den as he determinedly didn't make eye contact with either of the two arrivals. Silkpaw was however more civil, if only slightly; she dipped her head in greeting to Gorsestar, and sent Acidclaw an acknowledging, vitriolic glare.
"Well…" Gorsestar meowed, when neither mentor nor apprentice spoke.
"She still won't fight." Acidclaw hissed with an invective tone, making Silkpaw flinch at the severity and Gorsestar release a warning growl, but the strong black tom was unperturbed. "It's becoming increasing exhausting. If a rival clan cat was hunting in our moor, she'd want to question its blatant intentions or remind it of its trespassing—
"They could be coming to see Gorsestar," Silkpaw growled lowly.
"If a rogue or loner were to attack for food, she'd let them hunt." Acidclaw continued, as if his apprentice hadn't spoke, then shook his head in disapproval and glanced at Silkpaw before grumbling. "She'd let a fox traipse into camp if she could."
"No I would not Acidclaw!" Silkpaw snarled, stamping a paw down in emphasis. "I would protect my clan to the full extent of my ability even at the cost of my life!" Silkpaw hissed as she padded up the statuesque black tom to glare directly into his eyes with her own narrowed into green slits.
"How could you? You won't even fight!" Acidclaw yowled.
"Fighting isn't always the answer!"
"And being a coward is?"
"I am not a coward!"
"Enough!" Gorsestar yowled with her tail twitching irritably. The brown she-cat got to her paws and took a few steps forward, "Why are you and Silkpaw in my den, Acidclaw" The WindClan leader growled, her patience was waning. "What is it that you want Silkpaw to do? What is it that you want me to do consulting the training of your apprentice?"
"You two are not in here to bicker." Grasswhisker murmured calmly, but the warning in his voice for the mentor and apprentice was evident in his voice; and Acidclaw and Silkpaw stiffened.
Silkpaw sat back on her haunches and let out a quiet sigh, quelling her growing anger as she glared down at her paws; but the fur along her neck bristling all the way down her spine took a bit more effort to put down.
Acidclaw however began to pace in his irritation. A growl resonating in his throat for several long heartbeats before he was calm enough to speak. Grasswhisker exchanged a tired glance with Gorsestar. This was the third time in Silkpaw's apprenticeship that the mentor and apprentice were in Gorsestar's den for their problems; this was the first time though that it got this heated.
Acidclaw finally stopped pacing, and sat down on his haunches with an exasperated sigh, "Gorsestar I don't know what I'm doing wrong." He mewed, with surprisingly a note of desperation in his voice. "All I want for Silkpaw is to prove her passion."
"I don't have to prove anything to you…"Silkpaw murmured, loud enough for everyone to hear but low enough to express her tone moodily.
Acidclaw fixated her with a venomous glare, "Well, believe it or not you will if you ever want to become a warrior. What do you think assessment's are for…?"
Silkpaw's gaze shot up and she turned to Gorsestar, knowing what Acidclaw said was true but merely wanting it to be confirmed. Gorsestar gave Silkpaw a simple nod, and wrapped her tail around her paws, feeling a bit of empathy for the white she-cat when betrayal flashed in her eyes for a moment.
A tense silence filled the den for many heartbeats before Acidclaw spoke. "You prove to me every day, on every hunting patrol, that you desire to take care of your clan and provide for them when you bring back mouthful after mouthful of prey. Why not show me in battle training that you are passionate about protecting them as well? With your teeth and claws? Fighting is part of a warrior's duty."
"I know that Acidclaw," Silkpaw meowed gently, locking eyes with her mentor. And for a moment, Acidclaw's bright yellow eyes widened as he thought his apprentice made a breakthrough. "What you don't understand though is that fighting isn't the only option a warrior can take. Keeping peace is part of a warrior's duty as well."
Grasswhisker nodded in approval. That was one of the reasons why he wanted to become a medicine cat. He believed in alternative ways to serve the clan without always having to cause bloodshed; but…like and unlike Acidclaw, he knew there was a time and place for violence. Grasswhisker turned to Gorsestar, knowing that she understood as well; and knowing the method to the she-cat's madness when she chose to pair these two cats up in the first place. It was a learning experience, on both ends, despite Acidclaw being the mentor. Gorsestar knew the two cats could teach one another a thing or two…but in hindsight there was no telling that the process would end up like this.
"Ugh…" Acidclaw drawled; with his face scrunching up as if he were about to retch and surprising everyone as the black tom tired of his apprentice's pacifistic nature. He stepped forward, tossing his head back and forth mockingly as he heightened his voice to his version of a feminine tone. "Oh look, I'm Silkpaw; I won't attack because apparently giving a rogue the benefit of the doubt is more rational even though he blatantly abducted a few kits. Let's keep the peace; we don't know what that rogue could be going through! But at least the kits have full bellies!"
Grasswhisker wanted to fall-out; and Gorsestar was nonplussed. Her mouth was held slightly agape and her shoulder's sagged as she stared at her warrior after his inappropriate though amusing portrayal which struck a chord in Silkpaw as her muzzle crinkled in distaste at her mentor. "That's not how I meant it and you know it Acidclaw…and I do not sound like that!" She hissed.
They have such a long way to go, Grasswhisker thought as he slightly rolled his eyes.
"It doesn't matter, you act like that! The moment a rogue steps foot in camp you're supposed claw him to shreds!" Acidclaw growled angriliy.
"Why are you always such a brute? Why must you always strike first?"
Gorsestar opened her mouth to intervene as the situation was beginning to heat up again but her action was too late.
Acidclaw snarled and in a great bound soared across the den and tackled Silkpaw, knocking her roughly off her paws. Gorsestar snarled in anger, commanding Acidclaw to release the apprentice and Grasswhsiker unsheathed his claws, crouching down low and getting into position to forcibly remove the black tom should he not comply.
Silkpaw rolled onto her back, her teeth bared and ears laid back flat against her head. Her eyes were wide with surprise, and the dull pain throbbing in the back of her head was forgotten as she lay pinned underneath him. This feeling knotting up in her stomach began to overtake her, she wasn't afraid, but felt as if there were nothing she could do. Helplessness…she didn't like it. Silkpaw hissed lowly as Acidclaw held her down by her shoulders and growled fierily into her face. "That is the advantage Silkpaw! Don't you understand! Attacking you in your shock, your disorientation, your fright is opportune! Why—
Silkpaw suddenly struck out and scored Acidclaw across his muzzle. The force of it knocked his face to the side, and in that deafening silence that followed he stood perfectly, deathly still. Silkpaw gulped; blinking in shock as dread was beginning to creep over her. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears as she wondered what had happened, if she had done something wrong. Silkpaw didn't know what had suddenly come over her; she just…reacted. That was what Acidclaw wanted…wasn't it?
Gorsestar and Grasswhisker were silent and focused, waiting to see what Acidclaw would do, ready to stop whatever else would transpire.
Acidclaw slowly turned back to his apprentice, until he and Silkpaw were once again face to face, and held her gaze. "You are weak. Without provocation you lack drive." Acidclaw released his apprentice and silently padded to the entrance of the den; walking silently past Grasswhisker, and not turning to even glance at Gorsestar as he left. "You didn't even break the skin. That is why we were in your den Gorsestar…"
Silkpaw rolled onto her flank, feeling small, and charged of the den with a disgruntled snarl. Grasswhisker straightened up, and his eyes were filled with sympathy as they followed the white-she cat. Gorsestar sighed.
-.-.-
"Twigpaw…you think Silkpaw will want to share this prairie dog?" Blazepaw mewed apprehensively, as if Twigpaw's assurance would determine the outcome of Silkpaw's decision.
"I dunno…" Twigpaw murmured distractedly as he gazed around camp. His eyes were curious as they flickered from face to face. Why was everyone so tense? Emberfire padded into camp a couple heartbeats later and dropped his catch into the fresh-kill pile; he halted a few steps ahead of the apprentices and, with his sleek ginger tail sweeping lightly behind him, cast a quick glance around camp and confirmed Twigpaw's suspicions. "Something's happened…"
Sparkfur dropped his kill into the pile when he padded into camp; he noticed the tension as well but dismissed it as a simple spat when he spotted Silkpaw dejectedly trotting toward the apprentice's den. The senior warrior then snatched a small hare up from the pile and stiffly padded toward the medicine cat's den; most likely to check on his sister—Honeyear. He gave Blazepaw a curt nod on his way past, dismissing him from any further duties for now.
Blazepaw blinked excitedly. Now there was nothing else that could deter him from asking Silkpaw to share! Twigpaw however didn't get the luxury of break from his apprentice duties. Emberfire assigned him to change the bedding in the nursery. Blazepaw watched his brown tabby friend pad away before he spotted Silkpaw. She was padding toward the apprentices den, fur bristling and her ears were flat against her head but Blazepaw's eyes still lit up brilliantly.
Blazepaw he gripped the prairie dog his jaws and quickly padded toward the white she-cat. "Hi Silkpaw…" His meowed, his greeting muffled by the prey in his jaws.
Silkpaw glanced at him, "Hello Blazepaw."
"W-Would you…I-I mean…I caught this prairie dog and I umm…" Blazepaw stumbled over his words, and his paws, as the fat prairie dog drug underneath him.
Silkpaw hadn't stopped to talk, and by the glare in her green eyes, though not Blazepaw despite him not even noticing it; wasn't planning to either. "I'm not hungry Blazepaw, but thanks for the offer…" She murmured, already knowing of his intentions when she noticed the fresh-kill. She sped up to her pace until she practically bounded into the apprentice's den, leaving Blazepaw alone in the clearing and missing his crestfallen expression.
Blazepaw sighed, and set the prairie dog down. He looked toward the nursery and saw Twigpaw standing outside. The brown tabby shrugged his shoulders and mouthed, "Smooth…"
Blazepaw scooped up his fresh-kill and padded toward his friend; knowing that Whitefeather would appreciate it, but he drug his paws and mentally scolded himself. Knowing the situation could've been handled better.
This was going to be harder than it looked…
-.-.-.-.-
Sorry about the late update guys. I thought I posted this already…
Anyways! Expect the next chapter to be up by Sunday or at least Wednesday! I'm shooting for updating weekly and I mean it! Lol
Next chapter: RiverClan