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Post by Cinder on Jun 19, 2008 17:12:48 GMT -5
The deputy twitched her tail uncomfortably, not sure how she had ended up in the situation. Why do I always end up talking to the angst-y apprentices? Wouldn't Heathersky be better? She took a deep breath, praying that StarClan would send her the right words. "Well... First of all, I'm not pure EmberClan. My father, Ravenshadow, was a ShoreClan warrior." She squeezed her eyes closed, not sure if she should have blurted that out to a kit. A dull throb of sadness enveloped her heart as she thought of her father. I never got a chance to talk to him, or even see him at a Gathering. He died of greencough before I was apprenticed. I can't believe Mother even told me his name... She was so ashamed of breaking the warrior code... When the deputy opened her eyes again, the world seemed to be blurry. Her eyes were swimming with the tears she had never shed for her unfortunate parents. Ashamed that she was showing such emotion in front of Shiningkit, the grey cat turned her head aside for a moment. When she looked back, her voice was steady again. "And as for Stormpaw... I'm not her, so I can't tell you what's in her heart. I barely know her at all. But I'd be very surprised if she wanted you to drown. She fell in the river two moons ago, and I had to fish her out. I... I don't think she'd wish that on any cat." Frostflash turned her head to see if Stormpaw had anything to say. A brief current of surprise rippled down her pelt as she realized that the apprentice was gone. Why... But it wasn't time to start considering the apprentice's motives yet. Shininfkit's future was still in balance. "I think of all the cats in the Clan, Stormpaw might understand your situation the most. Her mother took a rogue for a mate, so she's only part-EmberClan as well." An image of Whisperwind swam in front of her eyes again, and for the second time in as many minutes, the deputy had to fight away tears. My friend... Stop it! she told herself sternly. You're the Clan deputy, you shouldn't start wailing like a little kit! Taking a deep breath, the she-cat turned to gaze levelly at Shiningkit. "If you choose to leave EmberClan, I will respect your decision. But I'll warn you now: I think you'd be making a huge mistake."
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Post by shiningheart on Jun 20, 2008 13:10:22 GMT -5
Shiningkit stared first at Frostflash, then at the ground. For the first time in forever, Shiningkit felt a flicker of doubt within her chest. 'Should I leave?' She thought. 'Frostflash doesn't think so....And she's the deputy. I'm just a kit! What do I know!' But then she saw in her mind's eye all the glaring eyes and sneers again. 'But they're the Clan....They have the power to make my life miserable...' She wanted to trust Frostflash and Stormpaw...But the Clan.....Shiningkit flattened her ears and clawed the ground in frustration. "I don't want to leave." She told Frostflash. "But it might be the best for the Clan!" Her eyes were shining with her internal conflict.
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Post by Cinder on Jun 20, 2008 13:36:48 GMT -5
"I don't want to leave. But it might be the best for the Clan!"[/i]
Frostflash tilted her head to the side and studied the young kitten. "Why do you say that?" And before she could hear Shiningkit's reply, she was once again deluged in a flood of painful memories.
"Worthless half-Clan crowfood!" The tabby apprentice snarled, his fangs glinting in the early morning light. "You can't do anything right, can you?" Frostpaw cringed with fear, violet eyes staring up at the songbird perched high in the tree. Its alarm call still rang in her ears. "A half-blind kit could have caught that!" the apprentice raged, his neck fur bristling. "You're no use at all!" "Slashpaw..." Frostpaw protested weakly. The apprentice spat with scorn. "Why don't you go run in front of a Twoleg monster? It'll save the Clan a lot of trouble!" He stalked off, leaving the grey apprentice to stare after him, horrified.
The deputy shook her head slowly. "I... If you choose to leave, it's EmberClan's loss." A sudden surge of frustration boiled up within her. Why can't I persuade her to stay? Why do I have to be so useless all the time?[/color]
Stormpaw's tail trailed in the leaves behind her as she walked slowly back towards the EmberClan camp. Maybe I can find Skysong and go train together, or maybe one of the apprentices will want to go hunting... She didn't talk to them much, but it wouldn't hurt to try. Maybe she could even help the elders for a bit. Anything to get this day out of my head. She turned to look behind her, but could see nothing except the normal forest undergrowth. It all blurred into one smear of green as angry tears filled her eyes. Shiningkit... I thought I had found a friend, but on the very day we meet she abandons me. I can't trust anyone in EmberClan, can I? She shook her head angrily and dashed away in the direction of the camp entrance. Her sudden movement send a single teardrop flying from her eye, and it fell to earth like a bitter raindrop. For one brief second it flashed in the dirt like a diamond amid gravel, and then the soil absorbed it without a sound.
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Post by shiningheart on Jun 21, 2008 12:10:01 GMT -5
Shiningkit stared at the ground before making up her mind. She looked up at Frostflash, her eyes filled with determination. "The only way to make the Clan trust me is to show them they can trust me. I'll be such a good warrior, they'll hit themselves for making me almost leave!" She thought about her words for a second. "Wait....I should hit myself for almost leaving....but it was their fault...Aw, I confused myself again!" She wailed playfully, her eyes laughing.
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Post by [Hea]ther[/sky] on Jun 21, 2008 23:40:29 GMT -5
To a certain silver tabby she-cat who lay on her stomach in her den, drawing in the familiar and comforting scent of the herbs, it was a fine day to be pretty much anywhere. She'd stayed awake until dawn trying to find some juniper; it wasn't particularly known to grow as much in EmberClan territory as in StormClan's, and she wouldn't trespass, regardless of her medicine cat status. Eventually she'd found one juniper bush, but it only bore a few berries. However, they were all she had, so she'd just have to hope no one would need any for the time being. I must remember to ask Ripplestream for some the next time I see her.
Pushing herself to her feet, she padded out of the den with slightly squinted eyes being the only sign that she was as tired as she was. Better to be tired than to be slothful. Intent on gathering some of the catmint that grew on the eastern riverbank, Heathersky paced towards the camp entrance, when she almost ran straight into Stormpaw. Stopping, she noticed that Stormpaw's tail was drooping and she spotted a tiny sparkle in the dirt. Looking at the apprentice, she was silent for a moment before she spoke.
"Stormpaw, what's wrong?" Her gray eyes fixed on Stormpaw, her whiskers twitching with concern.
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Post by Cinder on Jul 1, 2008 12:47:02 GMT -5
"Stormpaw, what's wrong?"
Until that moment, Stormpaw hadn't even noticed the medicine cat. Turning to stare at Heathersky with anguished eyes, she meowed softly, "Shiningkit hates me." She hadn't meant to be so direct, and as the words left her mouth she felt another lightning-strike of pain shoot through her heart. But, at the same time, she felt like a tiny sliver of the crushing weight that was pressing her into the earth had been lifted. "We were at the river getting a drink, and she almost fell in..." the apprentice continued, her voice getting quieter and quieter with each word. "And I went to get help; Frostflash rescued her, but I couldn't do anything, I froze up at the sight of the water, and Shiningkit said I wanted her to drown..." The young cat's voice cracked, and she felt a painful lump swell in her throat, wringing a sob from her.
A wave of relief weakened Frostflash's paws as she saw the glint of determination in Shiningkit's eyes. Thank you, StarClan. Grinning at the kitten's babbling, the deputy flicked Shiningkit's ear with her tail and turned away. "Come on, let's get you back to camp." She cast one violet-eyed gaze back along the bank, wondering where Stormpaw had gone.
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Post by [Hea]ther[/sky] on Jul 1, 2008 13:13:25 GMT -5
Listening to Stormpaw's story, Heathersky murmured sympathetically. When the apprentice was finished speaking, she laid her tail on Stormpaw's shoulder. "Sometimes fear is the strongest detractor, or motivator, of a situation," the silver she-cat meowed. "Maybe it was that fear kept you still, and it also made her say those things. She might be afraid that you really did want her to drown, because she can't blame anyone but you and the river and herself."
Thinking for a moment, the medicine cat continued, "She's likely very lonely. But I know you wouldn't ever intend to drown Shiningkit. I'm sure she'll see that on her own." Standing silently for a moment, she mewed, "Would you like to go find her and sort this out?"
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Post by shiningheart on Jul 1, 2008 22:21:23 GMT -5
Shiningkit nodded and raced after Frostflash. Thoughts raced through her mind, mainly of how to apologize to Stormpaw. 'How in StarClan could I have said those things?' She scolded herself. 'You know Stormpaw isn't like that!' She quivered lightly, thanking StarClan Frostflash was ahead of her. 'Now she'll hate you.'
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Post by Cinder on Jul 2, 2008 7:44:29 GMT -5
Stormpaw looked down at her paws, shivering uncontrollably. She knew that talking to Shiningkit would be the right thing to do, but... Then a tide of dark fear threatened to swamp her again. What if I talk to her and she doesn't believe me? I think I'd die... The apprentice looked down, confusion and hurt sparkling in her now-dull blue eyes. But... I suppose I should. We just made friends today, and i don't want to lose her that quickly... Today? Had it really only been today when they had first started talking, and then the fox attacked the camp? It seemed like a lifetime ago. "Okay," she meowed softly, looking up to meet Heathersky's gaze. "I think that would be a good idea..." She smiled gratefully at the medicine cat.
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Post by shiningheart on Jul 2, 2008 13:52:53 GMT -5
Shiningkit saw the camp entrance coming into view. It would soon be time to confront Stormpaw and she still didn't know what to say! 'Oh, StarClan.' She prayed silently. 'Please, give me the words to make this all right.'
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Post by Cinder on Jul 5, 2008 15:21:26 GMT -5
Stormpaw's pulse quickened as she heard two sets of pawsteps just outside the camp entrance. Oh, great StarClan. She closed her eyes, hoping that the starry warriors would hear her plea. Let her listen to me. I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't... Grey tail fluffy with fear, the apprentice shuffled towards the entrance. Her mind was a chaotic swirl of emotions: fear, anger, betrayal, pain... and hope.
Frostflash padded calmly alongside Shiningkit, still pondering the situation. It's odd that Stormpaw ran off; but seeing how angry Shiningkit was, I'm not sure I blame her. In fact, she was hoping she didn't have to blame anyone, because that would mean that this whole mess had been resolved safely.
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Post by shiningheart on Jul 5, 2008 16:10:47 GMT -5
Shiningkit pushed her way into the entrance. She did a quick scan of the clearing. She saw the fox body still laying in front of the nursery entrance. She felt a moment's confusion then remembered dully the fox attack earlier that day. Oh how long ago that seemed! Next she saw Stormpaw shuffling her way toward the kit. Instantly Shiningkit felt guilty. She did what she usually did; the first thing that came to mind. Shiningkit ran toward the apprentice and buried herself in Stormpaw's fur. "I'm sorry!" She wailed quietly so as not to draw attention from the rest of the Clan. "I'm so sorry Stormpaw! I never should have said any of that!" She looked up at Stormpaw, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know after that you could never forgive me, but I just want you to know I'm sorry!"
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Post by [Hea]ther[/sky] on Jul 5, 2008 20:46:16 GMT -5
Smiling gently at Stormpaw, Heathersky stood to follow her friend, when she heard pawsteps thrumming outside the camp in the foliage. Seems like she won't have to go far, the medicine cat thought, hoping for StarClan's guidance and assistance. Waiting to see if a fight would break out, she stood at the ready a few feet back from the entrance and behind Stormpaw. I seriously doubt that anything bad's going to happen, the medicine cat thought, and then reminded herself not to jinx it. Watching Shiningkit burst out of the entrance, she stood still, watching.
"I'm so sorry Stormpaw! I never should have said any of that!"
A little surprised but overall relieved, Heathersky sat down, relaxing. Warmth filled her as the kit spoke. I'm proud that both of them are my Clanmates, the medicine cat thought warmly.
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Post by shiningheart on Jul 7, 2008 17:34:01 GMT -5
Shiningkit looked past Stormpaw to Heathersky. She looked back and forth from the apprentice to the medicine cat. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "I believe we were playing a game before that fox interrupted us?"
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Post by Cinder on Jul 10, 2008 8:20:28 GMT -5
"I'm so sorry Stormpaw! I never should have said any of that! I know after that you could never forgive me, but I just want you to know I'm sorry!"
Almost before Shiningkit had finished speaking, Stormpaw meowed, "I'm really, really sorry, Shiningkit. I didn't go near the river because I was afraid of falling in again, not because I wanted you to dr-" She paused as the kitten's words finally registered in her brain. She... forgives me? The grey apprentice smiled slowly at her friend. "I'm sorry, too, I guess. I should have been braver."
"I believe we were playing a game before that fox interrupted us?"
An ecstatic grin blossomed on Stormpaw's muzzle. "Yes, I believe we were!" She darted over to Shiningkit and poked her with a paw, blue eyes gleaming. So... we're friends again, I guess.
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