Here we go again! Time for some… interesting things to happen. Again. I have a poll up. Please, take time out of your day to vote for it. I know it isn't the election, but I wanna give back to my phenomenal community that is always giving me support or I will have no choice but to choose the original cats I wanted it to happen to.

Chapter 21: Respite

All of Lionclan was sitting vigil for their fallen comrades and friends. Firestar sat closer to Sol's body than anyone else. Firestar was about to stretch when he was hit by a vision.

Firestar looked around. He was still in the Thunderclan camp, but no one was around. Firestar glanced over the camp again and saw three cats he couldn't recognize. Their voices combined into one creepy and disembodied voice, "You killed us and decided to hide the evidence." Firestar mewed, "No. NO! I'd never hide evidence and I certainly wouldn't kill for the fun of it! I don't even know who you three are!" The voices cackled and spat, "Of course you don't. Shows how important we were to you." Firestar shook his head and looked down at his paws. He gasped in disbelief as his paws were drenched in blood.

Firestar sprinted over to the massive puddle in the middle of the Thunderclan Clearing to clean his paws. What he saw in the reflection, caused him to lose his voice. There was blood all around Firestar's face. A bone was sticking out of his mouth. He opened his mouth to get the bone out, but choked in disbelief as he saw chunks of meat and flesh stuck to his teeth. He immediately threw up, and chunks of flesh were in his throw-up.

The voices combined once again and said, "Now you're starting to believe us. We told you that you hid the evidence. Have you not noticed how barbaric you've become from the moons of constant fighting to defend the clans? It's ironic that you haven't noticed you're becoming a MONSTER! JUST LIKE TIGERSTAR!" Firestar shook his head, tears in his eyes. The vision faded.

Firestar looked around, fear and terror creeping through his body like a snake in the grass. Lionstar padded over to him and asked, "You good, Dear? You're pretty shaken up and you're crying." Firestar immediately wiped his eyes with his tail and replied weakly, "I'm fine. Thank you for asking, Dear. Just. A lot of death today. Far too much. Even more than the Great Battle. I need to get some air. I will be right back okay. Don't stray too far though. I'd love to spend the night with you." Lionstar blushed and said, "Finally my turn?" Firestar chuckled and said, "We shall see." Lionstar purred happily and Firestar walked out of the clearing.

Firestar pelted towards the lake and muttered, "If only there was alcohol in this world. I could definitely use a drink." A deep voice said, "Well. Lucky you, I learned how to ferment stuff in this world. I've been fermenting some stuff since I joined the clan."

Firestar jumped and whirled around, ready to defend himself. A battle-scarred tom missing a chunk of his ear walked out. Firestar sighed in relief and said, "Ragnar." Ragnar padded over to Firestar and sat next to him. Ragnar dropped the bottle in his mouth between the two. Firestar looked at it and chuckled. He mewed, "You stole a bottle of Jack from the twolegs near the lake, didn't you?" Ragnar laughed and said, "I did."

Firestar shook his head and melted the cap off of the whiskey with a flaming claw. He hooked the melted cap with his claw and set it beside him. Firestar said, "You stole a fresh bottle too. You psycho. Well, you went through the risk of stealing it. You get the first swig." Ragnar laughed and said, "Your ability to control fire is quite handy." Ragnar gripped the bottle with his teeth and lifted it up, taking a healthy swig.

Firestar said, "Be careful. We aren't human anymore. Our bodies are much smaller. You'll probably be blackout fucking drunk after that unless our tolerance followed us to this world." Ragnar put the bottle back on the ground between the two. Ragnar said, "Maybe so. But again. Alcohol takes about thirty minutes to hit someone." Firestar laughed and said, "So for us, about five minutes." Ragnar laughed a hearty laugh and said, "Your turn."

Firestar looked at the bottle and gripped it between his teeth. He tilted his head back and took a swig twice as large as Ragnar. Firestar placed the bottle gently between the two. Firestar mewed, "Well. I can definitely get more of the taste that Jack Daniel's was going for." Ragnar whistled and said, "So. What's on your mind? What is causing you to drink? I know it isn't to fuck because you have at least ten beautiful mates who are willing to fuck whenever you are." Firestar laughed and hiccuped. He answered, "Well. To start, the amount of death that we all witnessed today was surreal. Another thing, the amount of our foes that I ruthlessly slaughtered today. Another thing, the mental battle I have been fighting since I was a kit. Yet another thing is the vision I just got. Another fucking thing is that I feel like I'm failing to keep the forest safe. Need I go on?"

Ragnar shook his head and mewed, "I get it Firestar. I know Lothrik, myself, and you are all battling things no one could ever imagine. Just know, you aren't alone, Firestar." Firestar chuckled and said, "I know. But it'll take a lot of time to adjust to this new life."

Ragnar suggested, "Should we save the rest of the bottle for a special occasion?" Firestar nodded and said, "Not a bad idea. Question is, how are we gonna close it? I melted the cap." Ragnar snorted and said, "I may have had some help from Lothrik to make a couple corks." Firestar laughed and said, "Of course you did. Alright. Thank you Ragnar." Ragnar mewed, "You're welcome."

Firestar walked back to Thunderclan's camp. He was greeted by Lionstar. She asked, "You ready love? The Vigil's over and everyone's been buried, Sol included." Firestar nodded and said, "Good to know. We are just spending the night together. If we do fuck, so be it." Lionstar giggled and said, "Indeed." Firestar and Lionstar left the camp, tails entwined.

The Next Day:

Firestar woke up early the next morning next to Lionstar. They had not mated but instead just spent the night chilling and improving their relationship. Firestar kissed Lionstar's head gently and she purred lightly in her sleep. Firestar looked up to the sky and muttered, "Guess I should let Flowerkit know I will be her mentor when she's old enough. Should only be another half moon; if that." Firestar gently prodded Lionstar. She moaned lightly and mewed sleepily, "Yes Firestar. Just like that."

Firestar blushed lightly and murmured, "Must be having a wet dream about me. Fuck's sake." He prodded her again and she stirred. She turned her gaze towards him and said with a thick southern accent, "Mornin Darling." Firestar laughed and asked, "When did you become southern?" Lionstar giggled and said, "Well. I've now become much more comfortable with you. I see no reason to hide my accent anymore darling."

Firestar teased, "If you had been talking like this the whole time, I would've fucked you first." Lionstar blushed lightly and answered, no longer hiding her southern accent, "Well I'll be darlin'. You should've let me know this got your motor running sooner. I never would've hid it. I was afraid you'd tease me about it." Firestar chuckled and responded, "Just cause I was from the midwest, does not mean I would've teased you about your southern accent. Funnily enough, when I was a twoleg, women with southern accents did it for me a little. Seems like that carried over as well."

Lionstar got to her paws and stretched. She asked, "Shall we darlin?" Firestar nodded and said, "Yes. We shall." Firestar and Lionstar walked towards the Thunderclan Camp, tails entwined.

A masculine yowl said, "He's returned! With Lionstar!" Firestar and Lionstar were greeted by Spiderleg and Crowfeather. Bramblestar walked down from the Leader's Den and teased, "There isn't another mess in the forest right?"

Firestar shook his head no and Lionstar said, "No. We didn't make a mess in the forest. And even if we did, it is none of your business." Bramblestar's eyes went wide and he mewed, "You sound…. Different Lionstar." Lionstar replied, "I know. I am no longer hiding my accent. I've grown quite comfortable with everyone here, my darling especially."

Crowfeather said, "I am glad you're comfortable with us all now." Firestar said, "I gotta talk to Flowerkit. Get yourself some fresh-kill. All of you. I will go hunting afterwards." Firestar padded over to the Nursery. He was greeted warmly by everyone in there. Firestar immediately leapt backwards to avoid Flowerkit's leap. Flowerkit giggled and mewed, "Darn. You've learned my tricks." Firestar said, "Indeed. Was she good yesterday?" Squirrelflight responded, "She was wonderful."

Firestar mewed, "Good. Alright Flowerkit. I told you if you did good, I'd tell you who your mentor was going to be." Flowerkit couldn't hide her excitement as she began jumping up and down saying, "Tell me tell me tell me tell me!"

Firestar laughed and said, "I will. Your mentor is going to be…" Firestar paused, purposely letting the suspense build. Flowerkit waited, listening intently. Firestar said, "Me." Flowerkit's eyes went wide and she said, "You're going to be my mentor?! YES!" Firestar chuckled and said, "I am glad you're excited to be trained by me."

Honeypaw mewed, straining to speak, "About damn time you got an apprentice." Firestar laughed and said, "I agree." Windstream teased, "Better not be too tired after training our daughter. I can't wait for seconds." Firestar coughed and said, "Don't worry. I will still have plenty of energy." Firestar mewed, "Now. I gotta hunt. Anything in particular any of you want?" No one answered and Firestar said, "Alright."

A Half-Moon Later:

Firestar woke up in his den, Dovewing, Ivypool, Spottedleaf, Lionstar, Olivenose, and Heathertail all curled up around him. Firestar mewed quietly, "I should go check on Honeypaw and Silverstream. They just gave birth a week ago. Honeypaw's litter was a single Tom that looks completely like us combined. We named him Buzzardkit because his coat looks like that of a buzzard. Silverstream gave birth to two kits. Both she-cats. We named them Crouchkit and Halfkit. Halfkit is a slender she-cat that is half silver and half flame orange. Hence the name. I also noticed that her eyes were brown and that her claws were razor-sharp. Crouchkit is mainly ginger with splotches of silver across her pelt sporadically. Her eyes are a beautiful deep ocean blue." Firestar took a breath and said, "Splashfur gave birth to a single she-cat. She looks much like her mother with hints of flame orange specks on her pelt. She was not born with heterochromia. Her eyes are blue. We named her Applekit."

Firestar gently walked out of his den and approached the Nursery. As he entered, Windstream walked out. The two shared a nod and Firestar looked at Honeypaw and Silverstream. He watched his kits suckling to their mothers. Flowerkit was watching them attentively. Firestar was about to say something when Bramblestar yowled, "LET ALL CATS OLD ENOUGH TO CATCH THEIR OWN PREY, MEET UNDER HIGHROCK FOR A CLAN MEETING!"

Flowerkit followed Firestar out of the Nursery. Bramblestar mewed, "Firestar! Come join Hollyleaf and me up here." Firestar leapt up to Highrock in one powerful leap. He landed behind Bramblestar. Hollyleaf and Bramblestar made space for him. Firestar mewed his thanks and sat between them. Bramblestar began, "It's that time again! Flowerkit! Approach Highrock!" Flowerkit bounded up the steps. Firestar shook his head, hiding a purr of amusement.

Bramblestar said, "Flowerkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your Warrior name, you will be known as Flowerpaw! Your mentor will be Firestar. I hope Firestar will pass down all they know to you."

Bramblestar took a breath and whispered to Firestar, "It is about time you had your first apprentice Firestar. Are you ready?" Firestar nodded and Bramblestar mewed, "Firestar, you are ready for an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Lionblaze, and you have shown yourself to be brave and understanding. You will be the mentor of Flowerpaw and I expect you to pass on all you know to Flowerpaw." Flowerpaw and Firestar touched noses. Thunderclan hollered, "FLOWERPAW! FLOWERPAW! FLOWERPAW!" Flowerpaw walked down highrock and went to Windstream. Firestar leapt from highrock and joined them. Flowerpaw asked him, "What's first on the agenda?" Firestar answered, "A tour of Thunderclan's territory." Flowerpaw asked, "But aren't we all one clan now? So there are no borders?"

Firestar mewed, "We may all be one clan, but you should still know Thunderclan's borders. Who knows what could happen in the future? Besides, all the clans are still marking their borders during their hunting parties." Flowerpaw nodded her understanding.

Firestar gave Flowerpaw the tour of Thunderclan's territory. Afterwards, they walked over to Owltree. Flowerpaw asked, "Can you teach me how to do the move you do?!" Firestar laughed and asked, "Which one?" Flowerpaw answered, "The one where you get back to your feet quickly after you get knocked down!"

Firestar said, "Ahh! The Kip!" Flowerpaw mewed excitedly, "Yes! That one! You told me you would teach me it if Bramblestar allowed you to be my mentor when I became an apprentice." Firestar chuckled and said, "I did say that. Alright. Watch me do it a few times before you attempt. Because, if you don't do it right, you could seriously get hurt."

Firestar laid on the ground back first. He planted his front paws, toe beans first, beside his head. Firestar swung his hind legs backwards. He pushed up with his front paws while swinging his hind legs forwards. Firestar's body left the ground and he corrected himself mid-air to make sure he landed on his paws. Flowerpaw watched in awe. Firestar said, "One more time, and then you can try." Firestar demonstrated it once more.

Firestar mewed, "Your turn. I will be here to make sure you don't hurt yourself." Flowerpaw swiftly got onto her back and attempted to do what her mentor did. Firestar watched her attentively. Flowerpaw kipped and her body was sent into the air, but she began to panic and flailed around. Firestar leapt up and gently grabbed her by the scruff of her neck with his teeth. He landed, Flowerpaw limp in his mouth. He gently set her down and Flowerpaw took several deep breaths to calm herself down.

Firestar mewed, voice full of understanding, "It is scary at first. I know. But keep yourself calm, and you got it." Flowerpaw had calmed down and got onto her back again.

Firestar said, "Let it come naturally. It is a very hard maneuver to learn. But in the heat of combat, it is very useful to get back on your feet quickly, especially if you drill it into your head and begin preparing to kip before you hit the ground, thus minimizing how long you're in that exposed position. It is faster to do this than to roll to your feet before your foe can take advantage of your exposed underbelly, plus, if you use enough strength, you can get behind your opponent before they can react. Think of this as a battle. I just knocked you to your back and am about to take advantage of your position." Firestar crouched down, turning it into a mock combat scenario. Firestar asked, "Ready?"

Flowerpaw mewed calmly, "Ready." Firestar leapt towards Flowerpaw and she kipped over him. She let her mind calm down and righted herself before she landed. She landed behind Firestar clumsily, but whirled around to face her father.

Firestar landed where Flowerpaw was and immediately spun around. Firestar purred in approval and said, "Great job. If you work on the kip, you will be able to use it as effectively as me, if not better than me. You can also use it to attack your foe, but be careful as it is dangerous if your opponent is expecting it, I found that out the hard way when sparring with Lionblaze; however, if you can connect with your hind legs, you will push your opponent back and still land on your feet facing them, ready to attack."

Flowerpaw purred and said, "Thank you Firestar." Firestar replied, "Of course. I would teach you the hunter's crouch for hunting, but as a kit, you basically had it mastered." Firestar looked around and mewed, "Fucking rain. It has not stopped for a couple moons now. Let's head back and get some fresh-kill. Tomorrow, we began combat training. Make sure you rest up."

The duo began to walk back to Thunderclan's camp after remarking the borders.

Well. There we go! Firestar's first apprentice finally! Again. I do have a poll up. Until the next one, may Starclan watch over you all! HappytheExceed16, logging out!