ThunderClan: Life Before 2020's Fire

[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

"Sorry. You'll have to figure that out on your own." Stormpaw shrugged, and then grinned. It would be interesting, seeing the tom trying to guess what was going on with her. The truth was, she liked these younger cats; and she was already forgetting the incident where she had bumped into the tom. That was making her feel more secure, and more like she really...belonged with these cats. Maybe this was what she had been hoping for these past few moons. Stormpaw was a playful apprentice, it just took her a while to show that side. She would be a warrior soon and sometimes, she felt as though she should sink into a hole until she could contain her more playful nature, which could sometimes result in her becoming more secluded.

Reclusive, perhaps.

She chose a select amount of friends and stuck with them, though lately she had felt as though she didn't have any friends. Though that was untrue; she actually had quite a few friends, she just wasn't always the best at realizing it. "Well yeah. I mean, I guess I'm just not...interesting or something. And I know I'm not anywhere as pretty as some of those other she cats-- like you. You're very pretty, Fairypaw." Stormpaw mewed, looking at the younger apprentice. It was true-- she admired the different colors that were showing on the younger cat's pelt. She admired them, though she had no idea what the other cat thought of her. That was a problem when it came to Stormpaw's insecurities, when she thought something might be wrong, because she instantly changed.

Back into her shy, nervous self.

And when Tigerpaw didn't finish his sentence, the older apprentice's ears tilted backwards and she crouched down as though she were scared of something. She didn't say anything for a while until slowly, with Fairypaw's words, she began to stand back up. The she cat was smaller then her, which, although it didn't seem very nice, Stormpaw was grateful for. She was so used to being towered over that she had begun to worry that something bad might happen if she tried to do practically anything. "Maybe. I don't know, I-I think maybe toms just aren't interested." Stormpaw shrugged a little and tried to smile, although it faltered slightly. It seemed any time she liked anybody, anytime she really cared for a tom, they just went away. Crowpaw. Hiddentalon.

Both were gone now, but they had left lasting memories.

"I believe that. Sorry, Fairypaw-- but he really doesn't seem that bad." Stormpaw shrugged, before flashing an apologetic look at the younger she cat. "I'll still claw you if you do something stupid, though." She added, her hues flashing as she glared at the tom. She didn't want to pick sides. She liked them both, though there were things about both of them that she was unsure about. It was just who she was, and she wasn't quite sure whether it was going to work out for them to be 'friends forever' or not. In her mind, something like that was just an illusion built to make other cats think that they were stronger then they actually were. Stormpaw sighed, the tip of her tail twitching back and forth as it always did when she was nervous or curious.

Right now, she was a little of both.

"Works for me," Stormpaw mewed with a slight smile. She had met cats who were much worse then these two. Things were going to work out just fine, as far as she could tell. She had been wrong before, and she didn't want to be wrong again...but perhaps things were going to change for the better someday. Perhaps things were going to become better later on between them, just as long as-- as Fairypaw had so neatly put it-- she stayed away from Tigerpaw. Just don't become attached. Because you're a jinx. Remember? She thought, with a sigh as she glanced down at her paws. For a moment she looked almost like she had when they had first met-- her ears were back and her hues had lost their fiery light, turning into something that was much duller.

Something was definitely wrong, that was plain to see.

"I like to hunt. And fight. It depends, I mean, I can fight if I need to-- I'm okay at it-- but hunting is more of my thing." Stormpaw mewed with the slightest twitch of her tail. That was true...she was pretty decent at fighting, but during the Liberation-- battle-- when SkyClan had come, she had nearly gotten herself killed. Not to mention the cat who had helped her. She sighed, looking down at her paws again before glancing back up at the two younger cats. "Don't worry, I won't," She mewed in a low tone to Fairypaw before examining the apprentice with a curious expression. "What about you? What do you like to do?" She asked, the tip of her tail twitching again in curiosity as the light returned to her blue hues, lighting them up like tiny blue flames.

She wasn't as afraid as she had been anymore.

Tigerpaw was actually starting to like her more fiery side. It humored him in more ways than one. ''I find it very sad that you're treating me this way,'' The tiger striped cat mocked, playfully. ''You were so nice before!'' He laughed.
Fairypaw found it amusing as well, as she watched the two interact. But, she also felt a tinge of pink- from embarrassment- most likely that the silver tabby called her pretty. She shyly said, ''I think you're very pretty as well.''
''I agree.'' Tigerpaw said, confidently. ''I mean, you are both very pretty,'' he then rolled his eyes, ''I don't see why you she-cats have to be so insecure about it.''
Fairypaw narrowed her eyes at him. ''Well!'' She exclaimed. ''Ever since we were younger, you'd always call me ugly in the first place!''
Tigerpaw snickered, ''We were kits,'' he explained. ''And, we are siblings. I honestly wouldn't want any other tom to look at you because then I would have to claw their eyes out.'' He took a quick glance at Stormpaw, wondering if he would do the same for her. He nodded. Of course, he would. They would seem to already made good friends in the first place. And, the way she talked sadly about past friends in her life, made him feel a certain way, honestly. He was all for the smooth talk and all, but he had a sister- Fairypaw- and he wouldn't want her to go through that same pain, or whatever type of emotion Stormpaw was feeling. Especially not over some low-life tom.
This made him roll his eyes.
Fairypaw twitched her tail in excitement. ''I love play fighting!...though I need to work more on my hunting.''
''Yeah...we were never really appointed any mentors.'' Tigerpaw sighed, sadly. ''So, we've been training ourselves.'' He huffed.
Fairypaw nodded in agreement to Tigerpaw. ''It would be nice to train. I want to be a brave warrior for my clan.'' And, she turned to Stormpaw, with admiration in her eyes, ''I know you'd do well. The more practice, the more perfect you'll become.'' Fairypaw then said, ''I like to-''
''Sleep.'' Tigerpaw interrupted the marbled cat. ''That's all she do!''
Fairypaw hissed at him, ''I do not sleep all the time.''
''Oh, I'm sorry,'' he said, sarcastically. ''You're just tired all the time.''
''Whatever,'' She turned back to the silver tabby, ''He's just showing off. You know, since he likes to boast around...pretty cats.''
Tigerpaw chuckled. ''I do not.'' He stated, confidently, and hopped back onto a rock, lashing his tail. ''In fact, I like fighting, but running is mainly my thing.''
Fairypaw laughed, ''You respond too slowly when there is an attack, you slow tom.''
''Oh yeah?'' The tom sneered, playfully.
Fairypaw gently flicked her tail towards Stormpaw. ''Why don't you try to pin him down? I'm sure you can handle him.''
''I doubt it.'' The tom said, but he loved taking on a challenge. Fairypaw knew he only was showing off, and she wanted to teach him a lesson. A taste of his own medicine will stop that large head from swelling.
''Perhaps we can go hunting!'' She said, excitedly. ''I could use something to eat...and maybe you could teach me a few moves...'' She looked up, her eyes filled with hope.
However, Tigerpaw ruined the moment. ''Yeah, she going to need it.'' He snickered, once again.

[lone]

Originally Posted by NoireRose

Tigerpaw was actually starting to like her more fiery side. It humored him in more ways than one. ''I find it very sad that you're treating me this way,'' The tiger striped cat mocked, playfully. ''You were so nice before!'' He laughed.
Fairypaw found it amusing as well, as she watched the two interact. But, she also felt a tinge of pink- from embarrassment- most likely that the silver tabby called her pretty. She shyly said, ''I think you're very pretty as well.''
''I agree.'' Tigerpaw said, confidently. ''I mean, you are both very pretty,'' he then rolled his eyes, ''I don't see why you she-cats have to be so insecure about it.''
Fairypaw narrowed her eyes at him. ''Well!'' She exclaimed. ''Ever since we were younger, you'd always call me ugly in the first place!''
Tigerpaw snickered, ''We were kits,'' he explained. ''And, we are siblings. I honestly wouldn't want any other tom to look at you because then I would have to claw their eyes out.'' He took a quick glance at Stormpaw, wondering if he would do the same for her. He nodded. Of course, he would. They would seem to already made good friends in the first place. And, the way she talked sadly about past friends in her life, made him feel a certain way, honestly. He was all for the smooth talk and all, but he had a sister- Fairypaw- and he wouldn't want her to go through that same pain, or whatever type of emotion Stormpaw was feeling. Especially not over some low-life tom.
This made him roll his eyes.
Fairypaw twitched her tail in excitement. ''I love play fighting!...though I need to work more on my hunting.''
''Yeah...we were never really appointed any mentors.'' Tigerpaw sighed, sadly. ''So, we've been training ourselves.'' He huffed.
Fairypaw nodded in agreement to Tigerpaw. ''It would be nice to train. I want to be a brave warrior for my clan.'' And, she turned to Stormpaw, with admiration in her eyes, ''I know you'd do well. The more practice, the more perfect you'll become.'' Fairypaw then said, ''I like to-''
''Sleep.'' Tigerpaw interrupted the marbled cat. ''That's all she do!''
Fairypaw hissed at him, ''I do not sleep all the time.''
''Oh, I'm sorry,'' he said, sarcastically. ''You're just tired all the time.''
''Whatever,'' She turned back to the silver tabby, ''He's just showing off. You know, since he likes to boast around...pretty cats.''
Tigerpaw chuckled. ''I do not.'' He stated, confidently, and hopped back onto a rock, lashing his tail. ''In fact, I like fighting, but running is mainly my thing.''
Fairypaw laughed, ''You respond too slowly when there is an attack, you slow tom.''
''Oh yeah?'' The tom sneered, playfully.
Fairypaw gently flicked her tail towards Stormpaw. ''Why don't you try to pin him down? I'm sure you can handle him.''
''I doubt it.'' The tom said, but he loved taking on a challenge. Fairypaw knew he only was showing off, and she wanted to teach him a lesson. A taste of his own medicine will stop that large head from swelling.
''Perhaps we can go hunting!'' She said, excitedly. ''I could use something to eat...and maybe you could teach me a few moves...'' She looked up, her eyes filled with hope.
However, Tigerpaw ruined the moment. ''Yeah, she going to need it.'' He snickered, once again.

Stormpaw cocked her head to the side and her ears pricked forwards. "Well, now I'm offended. You don't think I'm nice now?" She asked with a laugh, curling her tail around her paws as she did so. She looked taller-- and older-- when she sat up, like she had been a warrior for a while. Although she didn't exactly radiate the confidence she would like to, she was still able to give the impression that she was a loyal, strong member of ThunderClan. She was looking forwards to being a warrior once Gyrewind returned, and would do more ceremonies. Such a thing was sorely needed, since there were many kits who were apprentice-aged and more then a few apprentices who were warrior aged. She was hoping that any day now, the new leader would return and everything would be right again.

But her fear told her otherwise.

Stormpaw's fear was constantly keeping her from hoping for the best, as well as looking on the bright side. All she could ever think was whether or not her friends were dead, or hurt, or didn't like her anymore. She looked somewhat surprised when both of the younger apprentices said that she was pretty-- and Tigerpaw mentioned Fairypaw was pretty too, which she thought was a nice thing to do. "W-well thank you. Both of you." She mewed, and then laughed at his next comment. "We're insecure because nowadays, if you actually want a tom to like you, you have to rely on your appearance. The pretty ones are the ones who have the best lives. The smart, or funny, or awkward ones, well...they don't get chosen as easily." She explained. She'd had quite a bit of expertise in this area.

Perhaps the reason she hadn't had much luck was because she was too awkward.

Clumsy. Nervous. Scared all the time. Toms didn't seem to go for that sort of thing, they wanted a she cat who was...like herself. She laughed at their banter-- it was quite amusing, really. She loved watching the two of them interact, it was almost like seeing a real brother and sister fighting. Stormpaw had never gotten any of that. No brothers and sisters fighting for her, something that she was thankful for...mainly because she was nervous something bad might happen later on. She wondered if she would ever meet another tom that made her feel the same as she had around Crowpaw, and Hiddentalon. She doubted it-- they had been special, unique in their own right. And, as insane as it sounded, she thought Tigerpaw had some of the same attributes as Hiddentalon.

Maybe, in time...he would be like the tan and white warrior.

Just as long as someone kept him in his place-- she could do that. Although they were about the same size, Stormpaw was the one with more training and she was more powerful then she appeared. "Really? That's odd..." She mewed, her voice trailing off and she cocked her head to the side before she shrugged. "I could always help both of you out. If you needed it. Since I'm not a warrior yet, I can't really call you my apprentices-- which would be weird anyways, since you should only have one at a time, but I could still sort of train you." The silver she cat mewed, sizing the two of them up. Tigerpaw looked more like a natural fighter, while Fairypaw really did remind her of a hunter. With some training, they would probably be great warriors for the Clan.

It was too bad they didn't have mentors.

Stormpaw wasn't a full warrior yet, although her training was completed, and she was satisfied with what she had learned to the point where she would be able to teach the younger cats fairly well. "Oh really?" She asked, in response to Fairypaw's comment. She cocked her head to the side, hues gleaming mischievously as she glanced at the younger tom, but she shrugged it off after a moment. She didn't really care. A more competitive spirit seemed to arouse in her at Fairypaw's remark, then Tigerpaw's rebuttal. "Oh really? I'll take you anywhere, anytime." She mewed, only half joking. She was counting on the fact that she was observant in weaknesses to be able to take the apprentice down. Besides that, she was fairly certain she was the stronger out of the two.

Though she could always be wrong.

"Absolutely, I'd be happy to." The silver tabby smiled pleasantly at the younger apprentice. She was glad that Fairypaw was being so welcoming towards her...it was a luxury that she rarely got these days. And every bit of kindness was warming her heart, making her feel as though she truly belonged here, with these cats. She was glad to have met them. And Stormpaw was fairly sure that they were all going to end up being great friends, despite how different the three of them seemed. She analyzed Fairypaw quickly, as though seeing what her greatest strengths and weaknesses were, before she turned her ice blue hues onto Tigerpaw. A hiss escaped her as she heard his comment, and she analyzed him quickly, looking for his weakest spot.

And then, Stormpaw pounced, slamming into his side in an attempt to knock him over.

[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

Stormpaw cocked her head to the side and her ears pricked forwards. "Well, now I'm offended. You don't think I'm nice now?" She asked with a laugh, curling her tail around her paws as she did so. She looked taller-- and older-- when she sat up, like she had been a warrior for a while. Although she didn't exactly radiate the confidence she would like to, she was still able to give the impression that she was a loyal, strong member of ThunderClan. She was looking forwards to being a warrior once Gyrewind returned, and would do more ceremonies. Such a thing was sorely needed, since there were many kits who were apprentice-aged and more then a few apprentices who were warrior aged. She was hoping that any day now, the new leader would return and everything would be right again.

But her fear told her otherwise.

Stormpaw's fear was constantly keeping her from hoping for the best, as well as looking on the bright side. All she could ever think was whether or not her friends were dead, or hurt, or didn't like her anymore. She looked somewhat surprised when both of the younger apprentices said that she was pretty-- and Tigerpaw mentioned Fairypaw was pretty too, which she thought was a nice thing to do. "W-well thank you. Both of you." She mewed, and then laughed at his next comment. "We're insecure because nowadays, if you actually want a tom to like you, you have to rely on your appearance. The pretty ones are the ones who have the best lives. The smart, or funny, or awkward ones, well...they don't get chosen as easily." She explained. She'd had quite a bit of expertise in this area.

Perhaps the reason she hadn't had much luck was because she was too awkward.

Clumsy. Nervous. Scared all the time. Toms didn't seem to go for that sort of thing, they wanted a she cat who was...like herself. She laughed at their banter-- it was quite amusing, really. She loved watching the two of them interact, it was almost like seeing a real brother and sister fighting. Stormpaw had never gotten any of that. No brothers and sisters fighting for her, something that she was thankful for...mainly because she was nervous something bad might happen later on. She wondered if she would ever meet another tom that made her feel the same as she had around Crowpaw, and Hiddentalon. She doubted it-- they had been special, unique in their own right. And, as insane as it sounded, she thought Tigerpaw had some of the same attributes as Hiddentalon.

Maybe, in time...he would be like the tan and white warrior.

Just as long as someone kept him in his place-- she could do that. Although they were about the same size, Stormpaw was the one with more training and she was more powerful then she appeared. "Really? That's odd..." She mewed, her voice trailing off and she cocked her head to the side before she shrugged. "I could always help both of you out. If you needed it. Since I'm not a warrior yet, I can't really call you my apprentices-- which would be weird anyways, since you should only have one at a time, but I could still sort of train you." The silver she cat mewed, sizing the two of them up. Tigerpaw looked more like a natural fighter, while Fairypaw really did remind her of a hunter. With some training, they would probably be great warriors for the Clan.

It was too bad they didn't have mentors.

Stormpaw wasn't a full warrior yet, although her training was completed, and she was satisfied with what she had learned to the point where she would be able to teach the younger cats fairly well. "Oh really?" She asked, in response to Fairypaw's comment. She cocked her head to the side, hues gleaming mischievously as she glanced at the younger tom, but she shrugged it off after a moment. She didn't really care. A more competitive spirit seemed to arouse in her at Fairypaw's remark, then Tigerpaw's rebuttal. "Oh really? I'll take you anywhere, anytime." She mewed, only half joking. She was counting on the fact that she was observant in weaknesses to be able to take the apprentice down. Besides that, she was fairly certain she was the stronger out of the two.

Though she could always be wrong.

"Absolutely, I'd be happy to." The silver tabby smiled pleasantly at the younger apprentice. She was glad that Fairypaw was being so welcoming towards her...it was a luxury that she rarely got these days. And every bit of kindness was warming her heart, making her feel as though she truly belonged here, with these cats. She was glad to have met them. And Stormpaw was fairly sure that they were all going to end up being great friends, despite how different the three of them seemed. She analyzed Fairypaw quickly, as though seeing what her greatest strengths and weaknesses were, before she turned her ice blue hues onto Tigerpaw. A hiss escaped her as she heard his comment, and she analyzed him quickly, looking for his weakest spot.

And then, Stormpaw pounced, slamming into his side in an attempt to knock him over.

Just like Fairypaw had predicted, not that she needed to predict at all. She knew the tiger striped tom since birth. He was knocked down because he was too slow to respond. Fairypaw couldn't help, but roll over laughing.
Tigerpaw let out a surprised shriek when the older apprentice brought him down. He let out some type of muffled whine, feeling dejected. ''Hey!'' He complained, ''I wasn't even ready.'' He stared into her ice blue orbs, and his gaze wanted to soften, but he wasn't backing down.
''Serves you right.'' Fairypaw flickered her tail, after getting up. ''Besides, she's more experienced than you. You should had seen that coming-''
''Shut up, Fairypaw.'' Tigerpaw groaned. ''Don't you have a bug to play with?'' And, he turned his attention back onto the silver tabby. ''Yada yada yada yada, you're definitely not sweet or innocent as I thought you were.'' Tigerpaw felt his side numb, and he winced. ''You're definitely not a she-cat to mess with-''
''And, you're just now figuring that out?'' Fairypaw mused. ''I knew you were a bit slow!''
Tigerpaw hissed playfully at his 'sister' but he let her off the hook, turning his attention back on the silver tabby. ''As I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted,'' He quickly gave Fairypaw accusingly eyes, ''You're going to let me up or not?'' He asked, playfully. His eyes narrowed at her, ''But, then again I don't mind being pinned down by you at all...''
Fairypaw shook her head. He was using that type of tone that was sugary sweet. She knew Tigerpaw loved to be smooth and all. ''He's terrible.'' She quietly stated to herself, and watch the two, amusement dancing in her orbs. Her tail thumped excited at what were to happen next, and she silently hoped that the she-cat would teach her some techniques of her own.
Fairypaw imagined this. She was satisfied.

[Ihartstars]

Leafkit was excited. He was going to be a warrior soon! Ever since his mother died, he was always so depressed. His coming apprentices ceremony was coming, so that was something to look forward to and lifted his spirits. He was always afraid to talk to the other kits, thought they would laugh at him for having no parents.

[meraki]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

The multi-colored tom looked over at his friend and smiled. It had been a while since just the two of them had gotten to hang out- as friends. Being able to spend time together as clanmates was great and everything, but friends was always better...simply because there was no air of pressure to get duties done. It was just hanging out together, being able to enjoy each other's company. "Great. So, anything particular you'd like to do? Or just stay here a while and catch up?" He asked, glancing over at the she cat again, hues twinkling. It'd been a while since they'd really been able to catch up. Even as friends, and not just as clanmates, sharing the news that they had heard. He felt as though something had been taken from him by not being able to spend as much time with his friend...he just wasn't quite sure of what it was. Perhaps his happiness- but no, Cariboupaw was just as happy and eager to be around other cats as ever. Surprising, considering it seemed as though Ratnight's rule should have taken more of his trust and faith in ThunderClan away from him... and yet it didn't. He wasn't sure quite why the other cats were always so angry. Everything was going to be fine now! Gyrewind- soon to be Gyrestar- was in control, and he seemed to be friendly enough...a good leader, in a shorter manner of speaking. The young tom glanced over at Lightningpaw and smiled again. She had always been there for him. Although she didn't always look like the most approachable of cats, he was always able to walk up to her in the same manner.

　

She was a good cat, after all! Perhaps not as friendly as some might want her to be, but then again, who was? No one was ever 'good enough' for everyone else. Cats were always pushing each other to change, whether it was with their personalites or their appearance....and Cariboupaw was close to sick of it. What was the matter with everyone? Didn't they know, couldn't they tell that what they were doing was wrong? Still, he did his best to make sure that he was always polite and friendly towards other cats. That was all that he could do, wasn't it? Be friendly, polite, and try to cheer someone up. Brighten up their day, in a way. That was what the young tom wanted to do. He was close to being a warrior by now- they both were. Soon they wouldn't have to worry about apprentice duties and training...though it was true that they would have to do other things. Help the Clan in more ways. Perhaps we'll even have apprentices of their own, the tom thought with a faint smile flickering across his features.

　

That was probably what he was looking fowards to most, having an apprentice of his own. Cariboupaw wanted a younger cat to train so badly he was almost desperate. He didn't care what they were like, pretty soon he would have them becoming a great warrior who was always active in helping the Clan. "What are you looking fowards to most about becoming a warrior?" The tom asked his friend, glancing over at her curiously. This was something that he really cared about knowing, so he was careful to give her his full attention. He tended to get distracted easily- though he certainly didn't mean to, and he didn't want her to think that he was being rude. Cariboupaw kept his hues fixed on her, though his white tipped tail was twitching back and forth almost as though it had a mind of it's own. He remembered having other young cats jumping on his tail, thinking it was some sort of a snake- or a weasel- and then him getting frustrated with them. I was a lot more impatient back then, he thought with a short laugh. And yet he knew better now. He was smarter- faster- stronger then he had been back then. Smarter, most of all. He had been fairly strong and fast for a kit, but his intelligence had certainly been lacking. In more ways then one, if he were being honest with himself. He wished that he had been smarter. Back then, if only he had known what the future had held, he wouldn't have wasted time. And now so many cats that he cared about- including his mentor- were dead and gone, and he had never told them how much he cared about them. Lightningpaw was the exception. He told her often that he cared about her, just in case something were to happen the next day.
　
He hadn't always looked for the good in everything. Looked for the best in other cats, the best in himself...he used to find the worst in everything and everyone. And what had made him this way? Well, Ratnight's cruelty had surprisingly played a part. But most of all, it had been his best friend herself- yes, he had realized that he needed to calm down and become a better cat for her. Because if nothing else, Cariboupaw cared about Lightningpaw. So much. He had told her it several times, but he figured it wouldn't hurt to say it again...not at the moment, of course. Humiliation was something that had never been very active in the tom's life and he wasn't planning to start practicing it now. That would be far too awkward and might even send him spinning back into his old self, the part of himself that he had believed to be buried forever, that he had believed to be dead and gone. And yet at times he wondered if it would show back up. If he would become who he had been.
　
The cat that he thought had been gone forever, but...was there just the slightest chance that that cat could come back? A monster, he thought, a shudder going down his spine. He was terrified that something like that could happen. Finally, Cariboupaw averted his hues from his friend and turned them upwards, towards the sky. He had always loved the sky. Not only because of the overall sheer beauty of it, the white against the blue, but because of the creatures that soared there: birds. The multi-colored feline had often thought about being a bird, especially because he had wondered what it would be like, soaring up there with nothing in his way, nothing to stop him, just open air...until some predator caught him. But until then he would be free, free with everywhere in the world to go, and as long as he stayed out of the reach of a cat's claws, he would be safe. Safety and freedom- hard to have both, and yet that was the tom's deepest desire. But he knew that as long as he lived in a Clan...he wouldn't be truly free. He would never leave the Clan, of course.
　
Lightningpaw needed him...or was it that he needed her?

It was a relief. It really was. With a mind like hers, it wasn't difficult to get stuck in your head, with dark thoughts sticky like cobwebs it was easy to get caught in her own dark spiderweb of thoughts. And sometimes, when she'd get stuck for too long, the dark, evil spider loomed over, it's evil spindly limbs threatening with blood-soaked dagger-like fangs. Sometimes, if she got too stuck, the spider would begin to feast and drain her brain of good thoughts, flipping and twisting and distorting them into cruel, twisted forms of their own. But Cariboupaw, ever good with timing, always managed to free her from the dark web of thoughts before the spider could drain out his own bit of light that still shown, and just looking at him would remind her that there really was still some good in this world. She knew in her heart that he'd be the one to help her slay the evil beast of dark thoughts that resided in her own twisted brain, and she had no doubts of his loyalty. He was always there for her. She knew that. And she was always there for him, and Lightningpaw hoped he knew that.

She looked over at him, thinking deeply; but not too deeply, of course. She liked how he made her think of things that wouldn't get her hooked into her deeper thoughts, and how he distracted her from thinking anything besides what they'd do that day. It was helpful, and she loved that he wanted to help. Worrying about smaller, more petty things always made her feel good, and if she ever got too nervous about something simple, she reminded herself of how she felt when she worried about something not so easy to comprehend. Oddly enough, this helped. A lot, actually. And even though Caribaoupaw hadn't exactly told her to do this himself, it seemed like he was implying it, whether he meant to or not.

Lightningpaw got a lot of ideas from things that she thought he was trying to get her to do or try. And more than half the time, he probably hadn't even been thinking of that. But it worked, and Lightningpaw was glad for that. But other times, when her thoughts got too deep; to the point where she wondered if there was even a point to trying to escape, she thought rather- peacefully. Not in a way that someone would think in her situation. While some would be angry, or maybe very sad, Lightningpaw felt numb- and maybe a little-peaceful. Knowing that she wouldn't have to live like that forever made her almost happy. That eventually, one way or another, she'd be in StarClan, with no worries, no depressing thoughts, no troubles or anything. Just peace. While these were good thoughts in a sense, it scared Lightningpaw. It scared her that she could be so calm when thinking about death. It really did, and she wished she was scared of death; like everyone else. But no one would or could think of her s being weird for thinking likme this, simply because no one knew. No one. Not even Cariboupaw knew of her thoughts on death. And no matter how much she trusted him, she didn't want to worry him. She'd hide this forever, until death awaited her. She'd be at peace. But not quite happy.

Lightningpaw wouldn't be happy until she was with Cariboupaw again. There was a part of her that made her feel selfish to think that, and she hated to feel selfish. Lightningpaw sighed slowly, before realizing that Cariboupaw would be confused to see her sigh. She looked over at him, thinking back to what they'd do that day. "Hm, well I'd love to catch up- I've missed you, if that's not odd, because we see eachother almost every day. I just wish I had more free time to hang out with you, y'know? Being an apprentice isn't as great as I'd hoped it to be." Lightningpaw said, hoping to infer that the reason she didn't like being an apprentice was because of the hard work, rather than her depression. "But hey, if it means we get to be warriors, it'll be worth it." Lightningpaw added. AT Cariboupaw's second question, she thought for a moment. "Well, I really want to have an apprentice of my own. I want to be able to help teach the next era of cats to the best of my ability. I guess it's one way to help out the clan, you know? I also can't wait to be taken seriously," Lightningpaw added as a half-hearted joke, knowing that most warriors only thought of apprentices as kits with an attitude. She couldn't wait to catch up with her friend, she'd missed him, and she didn't like the feeling of missing someone.

Like Cariboupaw, Lightning often thought of the sky. How open it was, how it changed, sometimes beautiful, clear, and sunny, sometimes dark, gloomy, and grey, it amazed her. But what was even more amazing to her was the stars; how even in the dark, dead of night, they still managed to shine down upon them, with the full brilliance that they'd shown the first clan cats there was. She loved how she could depend on the stars, how she knew they'd always be there, even if they did move around throughout the moons. The sky was beautiful, open, free, and dependable. She wished to be a bird, to fly endlessly in the bright blue, the grey, and the dark. Lightningpaw wanted to fly. Fly far, far away, to forget, and to be free. But then, she'd remember Cariboupaw.

She'd remember how he was always there for her, and it was all she could do to return the favor. He'd never leave her, and she'd never leave him; that's how it always had been, and how it would forever be, no matter what obstacle stood in their path. She'd do anything for him. she'd step in front of a twoleg monster, she'd swim across the ocean, she'd fly for him. There was absolutely nothing she wouldn't do for him, and Lightningpaw hoped dearly that he knew that, and no matter what; she silently wished to prove it to him. Even though he had no reason to not trust her, she still wanted to prove her loyalty, and she'd always want too.

Even thought she couldn't be sure, she knew, deep down, that it would one day kill her.

[Ihartstars]

Originally Posted by Gusty

[Open post~]

Falconkit padded into the nursery from the clearing. It was chilly outside- despite the beating sun, there were still winds that blew from the north, decreasing the temperature. She shivered a little bit, glad to be inside the warm nuesery once more.

Once again, the molly couldn't find her siblings. Where were they? There was a possibility that they were in the elder's den, listening to the stories about battles and darkness and '"good ol' times".

As a result, Falconkit scrambled around the den, looking keenly for a few friends or companions to play with, or at least to talk to. It would be a relief if she found any- loneliness was something that the cream-coated kit utterly despised.

Leafkit saw the other kit in the nursery, and watched her curiously, his green eyes following her every move. He didn't enjoy being lonely, so he thought this was a good time to make a friend. He was about to greet her, when another cat stepped in front of her and started talking. LeafKit shied away, hoping no one saw him. I wonder if anybody will notice me someday....When my apprentice ceremony comes, I'll be nothing but a laughing stock.... Leafkit laid back down in his small bed of moss, going back to intently staring at Falconkit

[lone]

Originally Posted by NoireRose

Just like Fairypaw had predicted, not that she needed to predict at all. She knew the tiger striped tom since birth. He was knocked down because he was too slow to respond. Fairypaw couldn't help, but roll over laughing.
Tigerpaw let out a surprised shriek when the older apprentice brought him down. He let out some type of muffled whine, feeling dejected. ''Hey!'' He complained, ''I wasn't even ready.'' He stared into her ice blue orbs, and his gaze wanted to soften, but he wasn't backing down.
''Serves you right.'' Fairypaw flickered her tail, after getting up. ''Besides, she's more experienced than you. You should had seen that coming-''
''Shut up, Fairypaw.'' Tigerpaw groaned. ''Don't you have a bug to play with?'' And, he turned his attention back onto the silver tabby. ''Yada yada yada yada, you're definitely not sweet or innocent as I thought you were.'' Tigerpaw felt his side numb, and he winced. ''You're definitely not a she-cat to mess with-''
''And, you're just now figuring that out?'' Fairypaw mused. ''I knew you were a bit slow!''
Tigerpaw hissed playfully at his 'sister' but he let her off the hook, turning his attention back on the silver tabby. ''As I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted,'' He quickly gave Fairypaw accusingly eyes, ''You're going to let me up or not?'' He asked, playfully. His eyes narrowed at her, ''But, then again I don't mind being pinned down by you at all...''
Fairypaw shook her head. He was using that type of tone that was sugary sweet. She knew Tigerpaw loved to be smooth and all. ''He's terrible.'' She quietly stated to herself, and watch the two, amusement dancing in her orbs. Her tail thumped excited at what were to happen next, and she silently hoped that the she-cat would teach her some techniques of her own.
Fairypaw imagined this. She was satisfied.

The silver tabby looked down at the tom she was pinning beneath her. She didn't seem to have a single care in her ice blue hues, although after a moment they gleamed with amusement. "Lesson number 1: Always be on guard. Ready for any attack." She mewed, her eyes fixed on the tom as though she was never going to look away. Some cats thought it was like she was looking right through them. Others said it was like she was trying to look right through them. And some thought that it was just plain weird, and by the way that they looked at her, Stormpaw imagined that they were right. Maybe she wasn't exactly everyone's definition of normal, but she liked to believe that she was a good cat. That she could be a good cat. "No, I'm not. That's why you shouldn't judge on first impressions. For instance, judging you on a first impression, I would say that you were cocky, overconfident, and flirty." She narrowed her hues, keeping her claws carefully sheathed. Her tail was swishing back and forth, and she pressed down a bit harder then she meant to on the tom.

Instantly her hues grew wide and she looked as though she might be about to release him, an apology showing in her expression though she never verbally spoke one. And why? Well, because she didn't want Fairypaw suddenly thinking that she was much weaker then she was. Stormpaw was strong for her height, and although most called her skinny-- she was really just a lithe young she cat. At Tigerpaw's remark, her hues widened until they looked as though they were too big for her face, then narrowed into slits as though she were reliving a nightmare. And in her head, she was. Hiddentalon. Honeyvenom. Laughing, joking, playing around, him...her... Stormpaw looked as though she would have liked to claw the younger apprentice right then and there, but instead she hit him with her paw and stared directly into his eyes so he could see how serious she was.

"Don't ever-- ever-- act like that around me. Understand?" She asked. Her voice was low, dangerous, and deadly sounding. She got off the tom, going to stand beside Fairypaw. She didn't look at him for a long time, and from the way that she felt, she didn't ever want to. "Does he always act like that?" She muttered to the she cat, her back turned to the tom, although her muscles were still tense, ears pricked forwards, paying attention to everything that was going on around her. For Stormpaw, everything was always active in her environment. Everything was always going, moving, and there was nothing that anyone could do to stop it.

Therefore, she was always listening.
@NoireRose

[Ludicrous Lunacy]

( @Pathos )

Remorakit rolled around in some moss idly, entirely alone and bored. Unsure where their friend Leafpaw was, they had nothing to do, and when they had nothing to do, they began to miss others horribly, even if they had talked earlier. Now, they were feeling sad that they hadn't yet told their adopted parent what Zerosight had offered them, and it nagged in their head. What would Fennelnose say? Would they be dissappointed? Happy? Both? Stopping their rolling to shake of the moss, Remora stepped on a smooth stone that they had hidden in their nest. Hurrying to re-bury it, they muzzle-planted into the moss with a squeak.

[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Lonestar23

The silver tabby looked down at the tom she was pinning beneath her. She didn't seem to have a single care in her ice blue hues, although after a moment they gleamed with amusement. "Lesson number 1: Always be on guard. Ready for any attack." She mewed, her eyes fixed on the tom as though she was never going to look away. Some cats thought it was like she was looking right through them. Others said it was like she was trying to look right through them. And some thought that it was just plain weird, and by the way that they looked at her, Stormpaw imagined that they were right. Maybe she wasn't exactly everyone's definition of normal, but she liked to believe that she was a good cat. That she could be a good cat. "No, I'm not. That's why you shouldn't judge on first impressions. For instance, judging you on a first impression, I would say that you were cocky, overconfident, and flirty." She narrowed her hues, keeping her claws carefully sheathed. Her tail was swishing back and forth, and she pressed down a bit harder then she meant to on the tom.

Instantly her hues grew wide and she looked as though she might be about to release him, an apology showing in her expression though she never verbally spoke one. And why? Well, because she didn't want Fairypaw suddenly thinking that she was much weaker then she was. Stormpaw was strong for her height, and although most called her skinny-- she was really just a lithe young she cat. At Tigerpaw's remark, her hues widened until they looked as though they were too big for her face, then narrowed into slits as though she were reliving a nightmare. And in her head, she was. Hiddentalon. Honeyvenom. Laughing, joking, playing around, him...her... Stormpaw looked as though she would have liked to claw the younger apprentice right then and there, but instead she hit him with her paw and stared directly into his eyes so he could see how serious she was.

"Don't ever-- ever-- act like that around me. Understand?" She asked. Her voice was low, dangerous, and deadly sounding. She got off the tom, going to stand beside Fairypaw. She didn't look at him for a long time, and from the way that she felt, she didn't ever want to. "Does he always act like that?" She muttered to the she cat, her back turned to the tom, although her muscles were still tense, ears pricked forwards, paying attention to everything that was going on around her. For Stormpaw, everything was always active in her environment. Everything was always going, moving, and there was nothing that anyone could do to stop it.

Therefore, she was always listening.
@NoireRose

''That was so cool!'' Fairypaw hopped on her paws, excitedly. After a terrible silence, and a smack against the tom's head, she wanted to add a little amusement to lighten up the situation. ''Always be on guard, ready to attack.'' Fairypaw repeated, and she crouched down low into a hunting position and acted it out on a nearby branch.
After Stormpaw set him straight, Tigerpaw immediately backed away. Though his eyes narrowed, he never gave up. Instead, he begin to profusely groom himself from the dirt and grime that clung to him. And, just like the she-cat, he didn't look at her.
Fairypaw trotted back towards the two, the branch fell from the tree, broken in two. She perked her ears at what Stormpaw said, and she nodded. ''He's somewhat always like that.'' She giggled. ''After all, he's a tom. What did you expect?'' She playfully swatted at her. ''But don't worry he'll be okay. That paw up the head might just be what he needed.''
Tigerpaw perked his ears. He could practically hear everything Fairypaw was saying, and he felt dejected, but being the smooth tom he was, that trait was shadowed. He instinctively got onto his fours after cleaning his fur. He gave a curt nod towards Stormpaw, ''Touche. But that didn't mean you had to go smacking me up now?'' His voice was tainted with annoyance. ''In fact, a simple stop flirting with me would had been sufficed!'' He rolled his eyes.
Fairypaw hushed him. ''You deserved it.'' She fluffed her tail, sitting down. ''You don't know how to ever kind hearted. Not every girl likes a bad, flirty tom, you know.''
Tigerpaw sat there for a few moments, before looking away. He stared into the distance, feeling the grass beneath his paws. He finally turned back to them and said, ''Whatever.'' He turned his back and stretched his body fully, cracking a few bones. ''I'm going for a quick run.'' With that said, he jumped on a rock and jumped down, moving his legs in a fast motion away from the apprentices' den.
Fairypaw flattened her ears. She knew Tigerpaw was a bit frustrated. Not at the fact that he was slapped, but at the fact he didn't respond as quick as he wanted. Fairypaw turned to the older apprentice and said, ''Stormpaw, he's not mad at you, by the way. He's just frustrated that he's quick on his feet but not his brain. Hence the way you attack him without him thinking a first thought.'' She gave a light chuckle. ''A run usually calms him down after a while, but he'll be okay.'' She smiled brightly. ''I do want to practice those moves you've done on Tigerpaw though! I can't wait to be alerted when I battle others!'' She said excitedly, and repeated. ''Always be on guard, ready to attack.'' She trotted a few ways away, swishing her tail. ''For now, can you teach me how to hunt? I'm really looking forward to something to eat.'' Then, she heard a loud grumble, realizing that it was her stomach. ''I feel as if I could eat an entire family of squirrels by myself.'' She laughed lightly.

[Ihartstars]

Originally Posted by Ludicrous Lunacy

( @Pathos )

Remorakit rolled around in some moss idly, entirely alone and bored. Unsure where their friend Leafpaw was, they had nothing to do, and when they had nothing to do, they began to miss others horribly, even if they had talked earlier. Now, they were feeling sad that they hadn't yet told their adopted parent what Zerosight had offered them, and it nagged in their head. What would Fennelnose say? Would they be dissappointed? Happy? Both? Stopping their rolling to shake of the moss, Remora stepped on a smooth stone that they had hidden in their nest. Hurrying to re-bury it, they muzzle-planted into the moss with a squeak.

Thornkit wasn't paying attention to where she was going, and accidentally stumbled on them. "Oh! I'm sorry....I didn't see you there." She dusts her pelt off and glances at Remorakit. "A-are you okay?" Thornkit looks at the rock that they just buried, gazing at it with intense amber eyes. She once and a while glanced over to her littermate, Leafkit, to keep a close eye on him.