WindClan: Life Before 2023's Fire

[goddess of ducks]

Originally Posted by Moonfur

Blackice paused for another moment. Not trust anyone? Was that what he was teaching the apprentice? Why couldn't this be easier?! "No Peachpaw, just don't trust cats you don't know. Just because Blazingstar is leader, does that mean he's right about everything?" His eyes narrowed, but became soft as the apprentice spoke. He laid his tail around Peachpaw. "Seems like we won't have many trust problems then," Blackice joked. Sitting the tom looked down at Peachpaw. "Before we go, let me tell you a story I learned when I was your age." Blackice flicked his ear, remembering the tale. "Once, there were a group of cats. They were larger, and stronger than us. The leader, was talking with the deputy, and the deputy said that the leaders mate was seeing a tom from another clan. The leader trusted him so much, he killed his mate and battled the other clan. Soon, the deputy told him more lies. More and more cats were killed. Warriors got younger and younger. Soon, no cats but the leader and Deputy were left. And the deputy confessed to lying. The leader killed the deputy, and soon the large, strong cats were no more. Until we came along." Blackice got up and stretched, "Beware what othet cats say Peachpaw."

[sorry about the late reply]

Peachpaw walked beside him happily. Her question had been answered much to her enjoyment. "Oh okay. I think I get it." She replied to him. As he tail landed across her back, her fur ruffled and she purred a bit. Things seemed to be taking a turn for the better. As he told her the story, she listened intently. Once he was finished, her jaw hung agape a bit. The story had a bit of gore in it, something Peachpaws mother had always avoided talking about. She had heard talk about wounds, and blood, and killing. She knew about it but still found it hard to believe that cats would be so bloodthirsty sometimes. "But wait...the leader trusted their deputy? And the deputy lied? How do we know who to trust?" She a asked, looking up into his eyes. Her dark blue orbs shone brightly, reflecting the sunlight. Her innocence was high for the time. Her mother had sheltered her from so much as a kit, and she didn't know truly what she was in for with apprenticeship.

[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Little Bird

Mothkit started to shake her head at what Theadream suggested. Honestly, could her mother think of anything worse to play? The quiet game was annoying! It didn't make any sense. How were you supposed to have fun, when you weren't doing anything? That didn't seem reasonable. That's why Mothkit never played it. Also, they were kits. Did her mother expect them to not rough house and do other crazy things? Also, stay quiet? Mothkit was good at being quiet and observant, but she was playing with her friend now. She wanted to play! She was tired of just watching the other kits play and have fun. The quiet game was not something kits who liked to have fun would do.

When Lynxkit suggested Hide and Seek, the female kit instantly brightened. Hie and Seek was a really fun game. The she-kit jumped to her paws, ducking away from her mother. "Yeah!" she piped happily. "Who's the seeker?" she asked, cocking her head to one side. The young molly really loved Hide and Seek. When she was the seeker her observant skills really helped. It was easy to just take a while and think, "If I were *Insert Name* what would I do? Mothkit hoped she would get to be the seeker.

''Hmmm...''Theadream thought out loud as she watched the two kits. They were energetic little balls of fur, and it somewhat made her heart beat at the thought. It was certainly nice to see Mothkit making friends and having fun as a kit should. Theadream used to worry when Mothkit would sit out on the fun, and observe the others play. ''I suppose hide and seek isn't that bad of a game to play.'' The small she cat concluded with a flick of her tail. ''Though I still believe that the quiet game is more fun!'' She smirked, joking. Ah, how she loved to play around with kits. She could practically feel the annoyance of Mothkit's energy calling out to her. It was a mother's job to be that way towards her kits, and she ignored Mothkit's little protests. Then, the she cat got up from her spot, and she affectionately brushed her tail above Mothkit's head. Then, she slowly walked away from them and got into her own nest. Her stomach began growling and she figured she would go out in a bit to fetch herself something to eat.

''I like your mom! She's awesome!'' A lot better than my own... He adored how Theadream cared about Mothkit--and not only her, but acting as a sweet guide to all the kits in the nursery. If only Lemonspotted was like that, his life would be complete. But the tom stopped glooming around as he jumped to his paws ready to play again. Quickly swatting a paw at her, he called, ''You're it!'' Dubbing her as the seeker as he ran around the nursery, waiting for her to began counting, so that he would have time to hide, and think about where he would hide.

[Captain]

Originally Posted by Doodle

Owlspark watched his friend with a worried expression as he fully realized just how exhausted Hawkfeather seemed. "You're right; you aren't normally this tired. If you think overworking yourself is the problem, then perhaps you should take it a bit easier this next couple days- or at least come back to the clearing earlier than you normally would." He paused his talking to brainstorm other possible reasons. If his friend wasn't doing well, he would do all he could to make him feel better. "Stress could be another reason. Has anything been tugging at your mind recently?" He questioned, his thoughtful green eyes studying the tom to catch any signs in case he tried to hide anything.

The tabby relaxed slightly when Hawkfeather spoke of their apprentice days, though he kept a watchful eye on his friend as their conversation continued. "It really wasn't that much of a surprise if you think about it. At my point, I had been with all the other apprentices for so long that they all had grouped together with their friend groups, and I was left sort of high and dry. Sure, we were all friendly together, but I didn't have that one friend that you go to whenever you have something to share. When you guys became apprentices, I definitely wanted a friend like that." He paused, scrunching his muzzle in a silly way. "Plus, it helped being considered really cool to the newer apprentices. You did an excellent job of keeping my confidence high. It was also the first time I felt like I actually fit in, that I wasn't being judged in a bad light. I was cool for once instead of weird." His tone was teasing as his tail flickered back and forth behind him.

"But yes," he added on, "I certainly want to make a mark on our clan. I want to help out however I can. I owe my life to Windclan." His mind flickered to the stories every queen in the nursery would tell him while they took turns watching over him- the strange kit found on the border. They said he smelt like the Dusk Syndicate too, so Owlspark could only imagine what the ruthless band of cats would put him through. He might not have survived their rituals and way of life. He focused back onto their chat, whiskers twitching at Hawkfeather's enthusiasm. "Yes, we'll keep them in check and make them wonderful warriors!"

“You’re right..” He murmured, shaking his head, “I think I just need to not stay out as long when I go out hunting.” Hawkfeather then thought about the possibilities of what had been scratching at his mind lately. Was it perhaps Caracalspirit and wondering when it would be a good time to talk to her again? Or maybe it was the fear of being a bad mentor to Nightkit when he became an apprentice? He guessed that it was a bunch of different things that made him lose sleep at night. He could see Owlspark looking at him out of the corner of his eye, searching for a reason that his friend was so exhausted. “You don’t have to worry about me, Owlspark. I think it’s just the thought of being a bad mentor to Nightkit when it comes around - I’ve never trained a younger cat before.” He admitted, even though his friend would already know this. “I think I just need to keep calm and just take things one day at a time.” The young warrior’s ears twitched contently for a moment.

Hawkfeather listened in a respectful silence as his best friend recalled his apprentices days, giving a slight nod now and then to let the other tom-cat know that he was paying attention to each and every word that came his way. “It was certainly nice to have you as a friend.” He murmured, looking down at his paws for a sorrowful moment, “Do you remember when the other apprentices used to tease me because I wasn’t as strong as all of them?” Besides becoming close to Owlspark, his apprentice moons weren’t the nicest to look back on - often bullied and picked on by the other apprentices for being a bit of skinny twig that wasn’t too strong and often messed up. He smiled at his friend. “I always tried to keep you in good spirits when you were down, you deserved it like you do now. I’m surprised how you weren’t swarmed by she-cats for affection.” He teased his friend, pawing his shoulder with a playful smirk on his maw. “You were never weird to me.”

“You’ll make your mark, I promise.” The male reassured his friend, who looked lost in thought, “And I’ll be there to help you, every step of the way.” And he was truthful about that, Owlspark was the only cat in Windclan that he truly trusted and who he called his best friend. His tail waved back and forth behind him as his whiskers twitched in amusement for a quiet moment. “We’ll be the best darned mentors Windclan has seen in moons.” Hawkfeather declared, taking a small bite once more of the prey between them, “Which reminds me..” He said with a mouthful of meat in his mouth, “You wanna join me on my hunting today?”

[wickedvirtues]

Originally Posted by Skjoldolfr

He dipped his head in thanks, his yellow-green gaze flickering with worrybas she continued. “I just don't spend much time in camp.” He replied defensively, his fur bristling somewhat, although he forced it flat. Great StarClan! Does she know that I sneak away from WindClan sometimes? He wondered, shifting uneasily. His was very loyal to WindClan, and had lived most of his life in it, and only for the first four moons of his life had he lived elsewhere, and then, he'd been a different cat, he'd been a she. No one in WindClan knew that he had not be born as a tom, and he wanted to keep it that way. “So, do you like patrolling and hunting or are you like a forever queen or something?” he asked, genuine curiosity lacing his voice.

( It's fine! Get some sleep then )

"Mighty defensive." She chuckled, but let it slide and ignored the statement. He seemed uneasy, perhaps she'd struck a nerve? "Sorry if I.. you know.. struck a nerve or something." She replied, looking at her paws for a second. She glanced back up at the question. "Definitely not a forever queen. I couldn't put up with all those kits!" She grinned, the statement being true. Caracalspirit had never had a 'way' with kits, treating them as little warriors instead of fragile, weak little fluffs like some did. "I do enjoy hunting though!" She added. Caracalspirit had always liked the thrill of the hunt, and feeding her Clanmates more than say... battle, where someone could die and it'd do little good.

[Doodle]

Originally Posted by Robin-chan

“You’re right..” He murmured, shaking his head, “I think I just need to not stay out as long when I go out hunting.” Hawkfeather then thought about the possibilities of what had been scratching at his mind lately. Was it perhaps Caracalspirit and wondering when it would be a good time to talk to her again? Or maybe it was the fear of being a bad mentor to Nightkit when he became an apprentice? He guessed that it was a bunch of different things that made him lose sleep at night. He could see Owlspark looking at him out of the corner of his eye, searching for a reason that his friend was so exhausted. “You don’t have to worry about me, Owlspark. I think it’s just the thought of being a bad mentor to Nightkit when it comes around - I’ve never trained a younger cat before.” He admitted, even though his friend would already know this. “I think I just need to keep calm and just take things one day at a time.” The young warrior’s ears twitched contently for a moment.

Hawkfeather listened in a respectful silence as his best friend recalled his apprentices days, giving a slight nod now and then to let the other tom-cat know that he was paying attention to each and every word that came his way. “It was certainly nice to have you as a friend.” He murmured, looking down at his paws for a sorrowful moment, “Do you remember when the other apprentices used to tease me because I wasn’t as strong as all of them?” Besides becoming close to Owlspark, his apprentice moons weren’t the nicest to look back on - often bullied and picked on by the other apprentices for being a bit of skinny twig that wasn’t too strong and often messed up. He smiled at his friend. “I always tried to keep you in good spirits when you were down, you deserved it like you do now. I’m surprised how you weren’t swarmed by she-cats for affection.” He teased his friend, pawing his shoulder with a playful smirk on his maw. “You were never weird to me.”

“You’ll make your mark, I promise.” The male reassured his friend, who looked lost in thought, “And I’ll be there to help you, every step of the way.” And he was truthful about that, Owlspark was the only cat in Windclan that he truly trusted and who he called his best friend. His tail waved back and forth behind him as his whiskers twitched in amusement for a quiet moment. “We’ll be the best darned mentors Windclan has seen in moons.” Hawkfeather declared, taking a small bite once more of the prey between them, “Which reminds me..” He said with a mouthful of meat in his mouth, “You wanna join me on my hunting today?”

Owlspark nodded in agreement, then listened intently as Hawkfeather described his worry. He waited until his friend was finished to comment. "Well, I can't imagine you being a bad mentor," he spoke truthfully. "And it sounds like you've already got it figured out, too! So, if you get stuck, just think back to how it was when you were being trained, or you could come to me. I'm always here to help- you know that. As for me worrying... well, you know you're the only cat I really worry about anyways, and that's not going to change." His whiskers twitched in mild amusement, as the tom really did try to seem like he didn't worry at all. The only cat he openly did this with was his best friend; otherwise he kept up his happy charade, as he really was a mainly happy cat and liked to be looked at as such. Being so happy and friendly made it easier for other cats to approach him and gained him more friends, and he always strived to have many friends. They made up for his lacking family.

Owlspark watched Hawkfeather as he continued speaking of their days of training, trying to keep his eyes from showing any sort of pitying emotion as he was sure his best friend didn't want any of that. Though he couldn't help but feel bad for him- he certainly hadn't had the best childhood either. "How could I forget?" The tabby meowed sullenly. "I've never been a real aggressive cat, but whenever I saw them talking like that about you, I really wanted nothing more than to claw their faces. It always seemed a bit hypocritical to me- you're all a bunch of skinny things compared to me, or the rest of the clans." He wriggled his rump a bit as to emphasize this and help soothe the air, attempting to make their conversation less sad. "Besides, being lithe like you are is good for here, you can run faster. I always have a bit of trouble hunting rabbits and such on the moor since I'm not quick enough." He allowed one last stab of anger to pass through him as he thought of Hawkfeather's bullies before turning the conversation. "But no, I didn't have that many mollies after me. I think that's your friend eyes speaking. Though, I mean, who wouldn't want this?" His tone was obviously teasing- he certainly wasn't an arrogant tom- as he rolled onto his back, putting his paws and stomach up in the air. A few cats shot him strange looks, but for once he didn't care about what they were thinking about him.

From his spot on his back he tilted his head over to his friend when he kept speaking. "Thank you," Owlspark spoke gratefully. "I'll help you too- we'll help each other. We always will." An affectionate purr broke through him as he gave a moment to appreciate his best friend. He truly was a lucky cat to have someone like Hawkfeather by his side- someone to keep him cheerful and to give him advice. He abruptly rolled back onto his stomach, shaking his head a bit to get any dirt off, as the other tom offered a hunt. "I would love that! We're going to be the best mentors, after all, which means I really do need to improve my hunting." He stood and stretched to ready himself, as they had been laying for quite some time during their chat. He shook out his back paws as his stretch came to and end and turned to his friend. "Hey, how about you have a bit of 'practice' mentoring today? I'm sure to do something wrong during this hunt- I always do- so go ahead and correct me whenever you catch something. It'll help me get better and hopefully make you a bit more at ease with the idea of teaching." He paused and narrowed his eyes, mockingly stern. "And then you better be getting more sleep and working yourself less."

[Captain]

Originally Posted by Doodle

Owlspark nodded in agreement, then listened intently as Hawkfeather described his worry. He waited until his friend was finished to comment. "Well, I can't imagine you being a bad mentor," he spoke truthfully. "And it sounds like you've already got it figured out, too! So, if you get stuck, just think back to how it was when you were being trained, or you could come to me. I'm always here to help- you know that. As for me worrying... well, you know you're the only cat I really worry about anyways, and that's not going to change." His whiskers twitched in mild amusement, as the tom really did try to seem like he didn't worry at all. The only cat he openly did this with was his best friend; otherwise he kept up his happy charade, as he really was a mainly happy cat and liked to be looked at as such. Being so happy and friendly made it easier for other cats to approach him and gained him more friends, and he always strived to have many friends. They made up for his lacking family.

Owlspark watched Hawkfeather as he continued speaking of their days of training, trying to keep his eyes from showing any sort of pitying emotion as he was sure his best friend didn't want any of that. Though he couldn't help but feel bad for him- he certainly hadn't had the best childhood either. "How could I forget?" The tabby meowed sullenly. "I've never been a real aggressive cat, but whenever I saw them talking like that about you, I really wanted nothing more than to claw their faces. It always seemed a bit hypocritical to me- you're all a bunch of skinny things compared to me, or the rest of the clans." He wriggled his rump a bit as to emphasize this and help soothe the air, attempting to make their conversation less sad. "Besides, being lithe like you are is good for here, you can run faster. I always have a bit of trouble hunting rabbits and such on the moor since I'm not quick enough." He allowed one last stab of anger to pass through him as he thought of Hawkfeather's bullies before turning the conversation. "But no, I didn't have that many mollies after me. I think that's your friend eyes speaking. Though, I mean, who wouldn't want this?" His tone was obviously teasing- he certainly wasn't an arrogant tom- as he rolled onto his back, putting his paws and stomach up in the air. A few cats shot him strange looks, but for once he didn't care about what they were thinking about him.

From his spot on his back he tilted his head over to his friend when he kept speaking. "Thank you," Owlspark spoke gratefully. "I'll help you too- we'll help each other. We always will." An affectionate purr broke through him as he gave a moment to appreciate his best friend. He truly was a lucky cat to have someone like Hawkfeather by his side- someone to keep him cheerful and to give him advice. He abruptly rolled back onto his stomach, shaking his head a bit to get any dirt off, as the other tom offered a hunt. "I would love that! We're going to be the best mentors, after all, which means I really do need to improve my hunting." He stood and stretched to ready himself, as they had been laying for quite some time during their chat. He shook out his back paws as his stretch came to and end and turned to his friend. "Hey, how about you have a bit of 'practice' mentoring today? I'm sure to do something wrong during this hunt- I always do- so go ahead and correct me whenever you catch something. It'll help me get better and hopefully make you a bit more at ease with the idea of teaching." He paused and narrowed his eyes, mockingly stern. "And then you better be getting more sleep and working yourself less."

The tan-furred male nodded to his friend’s words, a comforted smile spreading onto his maw. Owlspark had faith in him and his abilities, much more than anyone before him did and it gave him confidence to continue and perhaps even put to rest some of the worries in his head. “Thank you, my dear friend.” Hawkfeather remarked, “I don’t know what I’d do without your support.” And this was true as it could get, the root of his confidence came from Owlspark’s close support and protection. It made him the cat who he was today and he’d never know how to repay him for it except for his own friendship and loyalty. A cooling breeze seemed to brush through the camp, making the tom-cat smile and close his eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation ruffle his short fur. It gave the warrior a sense of calm and relaxing notion that he could never know. He looked over at Owlspark, wishing they were brothers sometimes, because they were so close, it almost seemed like they could be family. He wondered where the future would take them, he imagined watching as his friend gained a mate and had little ones of his own.

A rumbling chuckle came from the younger warrior as he smiled at Owlspark. “I can always count on you to make sure that nobody would hurt me.” He mentioned, “I remember a few times when you stood up to me and they all would back down because you were the eldest apprentice.” Hawkfeather thought back to that, a gentle smile on his maw as the image of them, much smaller than they were now. He would always respect Owlspark for being there for him in his darkest times of his life. The male couldn’t help but utter a small laugh at his friend wiggling his rump in the air. “Ah, I suppose you are right about that.” The Chausie murmured, lazily drawing in the dirt with one claw, “I am quite fast out there in the hunting grounds, but you have your own skills to help the clan - I’m positive about that.” He said, poking the older tom-cat in the side with one paw. He watched with an amused smirk on his muzzle and a raise of one eyebrow as Owlspark turned onto his back and put his paws straight into the air. Out of the corner of his eye, Hawkfeather could see a few Windclan cats giving them looks, but paid no attention to it. When he was with Owlspark, Hawkfeather didn’t give a rat’s tail what others thought about them. “You are truly irresistible.” He assured him with a low chuckle and twitch of his whiskers. The young warrior looked up to the sky, which was still covered with darkened clouds. Several birds flew overhead as he looked on, which made his heart pound with energy for hunting and his paws twitched with the need to run and chase something down.

Hawkfeather looked over at his best friend once more and dipped his head. “It’s no problem, Owlspark.” He said, his tail swishing back and forth behind him, “We’ll always have each other’s backs, even in Starclan.” The tom-cat joined his friend with an affectionate purr shared between them and any cat that saw them could see their bond and how close the two males were. Hawkfeather was watching a few cats as they padded through the clearing to drop the prey they had caught into the freshkill pile as the other male rolled back onto his stomach, shaking some dirt from his head. Hawkfeather’s amber-hued eyes flickered over to his best friend when he agreed to going hunting with him, which made the tom-cat smile, knowing now that he would have company today while he worked. He nodded to Owlspark’s words and heaved himself up from his sitting position and stretching out his front paws, twisting his neck slightly and making sure he was ready to head out.

The younger male listened to his friend’s suggestion about practicing on being a mentor, which made him quite curious to try it. “Sure!” Hawkfeather exclaimed, “I’d love to practice a bit with hunting and such. This will certainly help me with mentoring Nightkit when the time comes!” He said and rolled his eyes at Owlspark, a big smile still evident on the tom-cat’s face. “Alright, alright.” He promised, “I’ll get more rest and take it easier, Owlpaw.” Hawkfeather smirked a little at calling his friend his apprentice name since he was somewhat training him now and observing his mistakes.

[NightWarrior4Life]

Originally Posted by Skjoldolfr

Phantom stood and turned to look back at Shineflower, her gray and white pelt bristling uncertainly. She remembered one of the reasons she'd pushed away her feelings for the silver furred molly, and it had been to keep Shineflower from turning out like Phantom, from becoming a murderous traitor in everyone's eyes. Phantom had always dreamed of this day, but in reality, it was no more than a nightmare. It felt almost unreal, and the gray calico stared, stunned by Shineflower's behaviour. But Phantom was ready when Shineflower pointed, and she rolled aside, ignoring the stinging pain as thorns dug into her pelt. Phantom stood up, tears welling up in her eyes. “I did care. You have no idea how much it hurt me to leave you, but I left so that you could have a better life. You're better off without me, and a cat like me doesn't deserve someone as special as you. . . .” Phantom said, her voice cracking then trailing off. She was hurt that Shineflower would think she didn't care, but she understood why.

She pounced, toppling her lover over. She pounded Phantom's belly with her forepaws then as her enemy rolled out from under her, charging from behind, she kicked as hard as she could with her hind legs. ShineFlower was ready for a fight. She wasn't sure whether all her anger was coming out now and she just did it in the heat in the moment or whether it was meant to be playful to be a "welcome home now let's fight to show how much fun we have with eachother" sort of gesture. Either way, it was getting rough. I believe the words you were missing from that sentence were "about" and "me" her mind told her reluctantly. Whatever...anything to make her understand the pain she put me through...how wrong of her it was to leave me like that...how much I want her back...how much I do love her...oh WHY can't you understand that I'm happy to see you...I just need time and space to calm down, take it all in...I don't hate you! ShienFlower was mentally screaming, reaching out to her friend and lover hoping she'd understand eventually that how ShienFlower felt could not be described with words...only violence. "Now we can both really feel the thorns and wounds causing us all this heartache!" this comment was a little calmer, maybe she even got a little laugh or smirk in there but at this point, ShineFlower really doubted herself. She's been away for moons...de could've been training, could be stronger. You're a flea-brain to think you can go up against someone like PhantomFlicker... The grey and white Molly paused for a moment. Do what if she is stronger? Maybe I am weaker? SO WHAT?! I need to defeat her, yes, that's what I need to do...when she sees that I have as much power over her as she has over me...maybe we can finally feel equal...know the cure to the awful throbbing in our hearts...

[Seraphon]

@Hopekit @Stormfeather {Foxxi} @CandyFlossCat

Beekit was relaxing in the warm relays of the sun as she always did. She was so relaxed she didn't even hear the paw steps of another cat approaching her.

[fresh]

Originally Posted by Hollydawn235

@Hopekit @Stormfeather {Foxxi}

Beekit was relaxing in the warm relays of the sun as she always did. She was so relaxed she didn't even hear the paw steps of another cat approaching her.

Falconpaw, freed of apprentice duties for the day, was trotting around camp, looking for something to do. A kit was laying in the sun, looking up at the clouds. If that's not promising, then I'm a mouse! The handsome brown tabby tom weaved his way through the cats towards the kit. "Want to play a game?"

[Seraphon]

Originally Posted by Stormfeather {Foxxi}

Falconpaw, freed of apprentice duties for the day, was trotting around camp, looking for something to do. A kit was laying in the sun, looking up at the clouds. If that's not promising, then I'm a mouse! The handsome brown tabby tom weaved his way through the cats towards the kit. "Want to play a game?"

"Ummm... Sure? What game?", Beekit answered the brown tabby tom.
@Hopekit @CandyFlossCat @Stormfeather {Foxxi}