Post by LιθΠΗΣαRτεD on Sept 2, 2015 2:29:29 GMT
"Let those old enough to catch rabbits join me for a Clan meeting!"
Another ceremony? For who this time...? Oh, for StarClan's sake. Thrushpaw bit back a sigh as he saw Foxkit running up in excitement. He's going to be an apprentice! No, StarClan help me! I can't live with him again!
"More ceremonies are due today!" said Icestar jovially. "We will begin with the apprentice ceremonies. These kits have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to begin training. Foxkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Foxpaw. Moonclaw, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Foxpaw."
"What in the name of StarClan?" whispered Stonepaw furiously, voicing Thrushpaw's thoughts. "He gets the deputy?"
Foxpaw looked as if he'd put in effort to hide his glee. His face was mostly expressionless, but could not hide the obvious excitement of being an apprentice. He greeted Moonclaw by pressing his nose to hers, and they moved off to the side.
"Featherkit, step forward," Icestar continued. "You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Featherpaw. Bramblefur, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Featherpaw.
"Birchkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Birchpaw. Tawnyflower, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Birchpaw.
"Brownpaw, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Brownpaw. Vixenfire, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Brownpaw.
"And now," Icestar continued, as Brownpaw bounced away, "onto the warrior ceremonies. Badgerpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Badgerstrike. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Gingerpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Gingerleaf. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Skypaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Skywillow. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Newtpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Newtclaw. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Windpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Windwing. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Well, that's it," Icestar concluded. "My personal congratulations. And, as informal ceremonies, we welcome Doekit, Deerkit, Lightningkit, Thunderkit, Sweetkit, Adderkit, Sunkit, Dawnkit, Duskkit, Moonkit, Cloudkit, and Tallkit into WhisperClan! Meeting dismissed."
Thrushpaw scowled as he watched his denmates crowd around the new apprentices. If I have to be stuck with Foxpaw in the same den for ten moons, I'll go mad! "Congratulations on becoming what everyone will become," he said curtly, cutting in briefly, not wanting to be left out of the group.
"Wow, be a little nicer," said Emberpaw, frowning.
"Yeah, what happened to you?" asked Blazepaw, looking him up and down. "What happened to the Thrushpaw we liked?"
"Whatever. I came to say 'good job' and this is what I get," he snapped. And getting yelled at in front of Stonepaw and Foxpaw.
Stonepaw made a scoffing noise and turned his nose up. Foxpaw blinked but remained impassive. Emberpaw glared at her brother.
"Same goes for you," she growled. "You're not being any nicer or politer than him."
Stonepaw shrugged. "Why do you care?"
"I'm leaving," Thrushpaw said, his impatience getting the better of him again. Featherpaw and her littermates were looking at them curiously. We're not setting a good example for them, you mouse-brains. At least Featherpaw wasn't an annoying furball.
"Push those hind legs!" barked Rubbleclaw from the starting line. Thrushpaw gritted his teeth and ran faster, enjoying the feeling the wind was having on his fur. Finally, he stopped at the finish point, a tree, and glanced back at his mentor. "Good. Better! See what happens when you really push yourself forward? You get power! Now come back here and try it again!"
Thrushpaw trotted back. Rubbleclaw was even smiling a little. "You've got talent, young'un," he said encouragingly. "Lots of potential, especially for speed. You're light, you're lithe. Keep workin' on those running skills, Thrushpaw, and you may turn into the fastest cat in the Clan one day, once Grasstalon retires," he chuckled. "Now all we need to work on is your fighting skills."
"I thought you said I was pretty good at that, too."
"You're about average, compared to the others," Rubbleclaw corrected. "And there's always room for improvement. You've just got to take the initiative and practice."
Well, I thought I was pretty good.
"Thrushpaw?" Moonclaw padded up. "I want you on a patrol with me, Foxpaw, and Rubbleclaw. We're going to have a mentor-patrol type of thing. You and Foxpaw can bond."
No way! Thrushpaw said nothing to the deputy and nodded instead.
"All right, then. This way. I'm going to be leading." Rubbleclaw was standing at the entrance, in conversation with Foxpaw. As they headed out, Foxpaw and Thrushpaw hung back, walking side-by-side, but staying silent. Foxpaw's head was moving back and forth, taking in the surroundings again. Thrushpaw kept his eyes forward.
"Training going fine so far?" he heard Rubbleclaw ask.
"Oh yes," Moonclaw replied, her tail waving. "Foxpaw is an extremely talented young tom. He is very observant, and always seems to know where he is."
As if!
"Is that so? I hope he fights well; Wrenflight and Russetstripe are among the bravest fighters, next to Flamewolf and Shellsong, that is." The two apprentices saw their mentors glancing back at them briefly. "Thrushpaw is pretty fine, but I'm afraid he still needs some improvement on various areas."
Hey! I'm working on it, thought Thrushpaw, though he knew it was half a lie. He hadn't been putting in much effort, and was still tangled up in his depression.
"Foxpaw has showed potential on day one," said Moonclaw proudly. Thrushpaw felt a spike of annoyance; Moonclaw always seemed to be high and mighty. Fox-faced deputy! "He's moving forward very quickly. I'm actually thinking he'll be ready for the basic beginnings of the two-on-one attack in a few days."
WHAT? thought Thrushpaw, feeling alarmed. He's only been an apprentice for a moon. That's not fair!
"Really?" he couldn't help but ask. Foxpaw nodded and shrugged.
"Training's not hard. At least not for me. You just have to work hard," he said, as if it was the easiest thing in the world.
Work hard. Right.
"Rubbleclaw, could you maybe practice fighting with me?" asked Thrushpaw, approaching his mentor. He'd just gotten back to camp after an entire morning of training. I've got to catch up to Foxpaw. I can't let him become a warrior before me!
"Not now," said Rubbleclaw gently, "I've got to go lead a patrol. Ask one of the apprentices."
"Okay." Swallowing his disappointment, he padded to the apprentices' den to look for Blazepaw, who he knew was always up for a good fight. I hope she still likes me.
However, as he approached the apprentices' den, there was a small crowd of curious warriors standing at the entrance. Loud voices could be heard from inside, and Thrushpaw recognized Blazepaw's loud mew, and Stonepaw's angry growl.
"Really? Really? What did I do to deserve this?!" Stonepaw was saying in disbelief, his voice laced with hatred.
"You were always loved, always fawned upon," shrieked Blazepaw. Thrushpaw joined the warriors watching.
"What's going on?" he asked Newtclaw.
"Little bit of sibling conflict," she replied, shrugging. Thrushpaw looked over Badgerstripe's shoulder and frowned in disbelief.
The apprentices' den's ground was splattered with blood. Stonepaw was bleeding all over, and Blazepaw had her head turned away. Twigtail and Alderpaw hovered over them, both looking extremely annoyed and exasperated. Cinderpaw and Emberpaw were standing to the side, both pulling on impassive and emotionless faces.
"Where's Icestar?" asked Badgerstripe sharply. Uh-oh. Thrushpaw examined the scenery. Both Blazepaw's and Stonepaw's claws were bloody. From the dialogue he'd heard, it didn't take a kit to deduce that Blazepaw had deliberately attacked Stonepaw.
"There is no need to tell Icestar about this," said a cool new voice. "He is at StormClan, dealing with another warrior." Rosetail, thought Thrushpaw. Moonclaw stood at the side, her eyes cold. Blazepaw and Stonepaw ceased their arguing, terrified looks stretching over both their faces. Cinderpaw was standing with her mouth slightly open, looking dumbstruck, while Emberpaw looked extremely uncomfortable. I always knew the sisters hated Stonepaw! For what reason?
"Blazepaw," Moonclaw began, somehow conveying white-hot fury without raising her voice. "What you did was uncalled for and low. You had absolutely no reason to attack Stonepaw like that. You deliberately tried to kill your own brother, denmate, and Clanmate. None of this is acceptable. None of this is acceptable. After you are treated, you will see me immediately." Turning to Stonepaw, her hard gaze did not soften. Thrushpaw heard Newtclaw gulp. None of them had seen the deputy like this. Perhaps Icestar had a good reason for picking Moonclaw as his second. "I understand you were defending yourself. But as Blazepaw had no reason to attack you, you had no reason to claw out her eye. You could've killed her, too."
What did he do? thought Thrushpaw in alarm. He glanced at Stonepaw, who was seething at Moonclaw silently through an unhidden scowl. For the first time, he saw Stonepaw as a potential danger. Maybe he's not just an arrogant furball. Two mice says he could murder someone in the future!
"Never have I been more ashamed of WhisperClan apprentices," Moonclaw continued angrily. "You will also see me in my den after I talk to Blazepaw. True warriors have no reason to kill. Skywillow, Windwing, escort them to the medicine cat den." Silently, she stalked away, leaving a silence hanging in the air. Slowly, warriors began to drift away. The two she-cats called out by Moonclaw stepped forward and supported the two apprentices, and they padded away, Twigtail and Alderpaw trailing after them, muttering.
"Don't eavesdrop," said a voice in Thrushpaw's ear. Foxpaw slipped past him and disappeared, leaving Thrushpaw to realize he was standing in the middle of the family. Grayfern, Aspenheart, Pinetail, and Swiftblossom all had the same embarrassed and shocked expressions on their faces. Cinderpaw and Emberpaw shrank into the shadows. Muttering a quick apology, Thrushpaw followed Foxpaw away into the clearing. At least my brothers don't go out-of-their-way to kill me.
Another ceremony? For who this time...? Oh, for StarClan's sake. Thrushpaw bit back a sigh as he saw Foxkit running up in excitement. He's going to be an apprentice! No, StarClan help me! I can't live with him again!
"More ceremonies are due today!" said Icestar jovially. "We will begin with the apprentice ceremonies. These kits have reached the age of six moons, and are ready to begin training. Foxkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Foxpaw. Moonclaw, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Foxpaw."
"What in the name of StarClan?" whispered Stonepaw furiously, voicing Thrushpaw's thoughts. "He gets the deputy?"
Foxpaw looked as if he'd put in effort to hide his glee. His face was mostly expressionless, but could not hide the obvious excitement of being an apprentice. He greeted Moonclaw by pressing his nose to hers, and they moved off to the side.
"Featherkit, step forward," Icestar continued. "You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Featherpaw. Bramblefur, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Featherpaw.
"Birchkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Birchpaw. Tawnyflower, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Birchpaw.
"Brownpaw, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin your path as a warrior. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Brownpaw. Vixenfire, you are a loyal warrior, and I hope you can pass down your skills unto Brownpaw.
"And now," Icestar continued, as Brownpaw bounced away, "onto the warrior ceremonies. Badgerpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Badgerstrike. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Gingerpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Gingerleaf. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Skypaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Skywillow. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Newtpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Newtclaw. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Windpaw, step forward. You have reached the end of the path of an apprentice. From this day forward, you will be known as Windwing. We welcome you as a full warrior of WhisperClan.
"Well, that's it," Icestar concluded. "My personal congratulations. And, as informal ceremonies, we welcome Doekit, Deerkit, Lightningkit, Thunderkit, Sweetkit, Adderkit, Sunkit, Dawnkit, Duskkit, Moonkit, Cloudkit, and Tallkit into WhisperClan! Meeting dismissed."
Thrushpaw scowled as he watched his denmates crowd around the new apprentices. If I have to be stuck with Foxpaw in the same den for ten moons, I'll go mad! "Congratulations on becoming what everyone will become," he said curtly, cutting in briefly, not wanting to be left out of the group.
"Wow, be a little nicer," said Emberpaw, frowning.
"Yeah, what happened to you?" asked Blazepaw, looking him up and down. "What happened to the Thrushpaw we liked?"
"Whatever. I came to say 'good job' and this is what I get," he snapped. And getting yelled at in front of Stonepaw and Foxpaw.
Stonepaw made a scoffing noise and turned his nose up. Foxpaw blinked but remained impassive. Emberpaw glared at her brother.
"Same goes for you," she growled. "You're not being any nicer or politer than him."
Stonepaw shrugged. "Why do you care?"
"I'm leaving," Thrushpaw said, his impatience getting the better of him again. Featherpaw and her littermates were looking at them curiously. We're not setting a good example for them, you mouse-brains. At least Featherpaw wasn't an annoying furball.
"Push those hind legs!" barked Rubbleclaw from the starting line. Thrushpaw gritted his teeth and ran faster, enjoying the feeling the wind was having on his fur. Finally, he stopped at the finish point, a tree, and glanced back at his mentor. "Good. Better! See what happens when you really push yourself forward? You get power! Now come back here and try it again!"
Thrushpaw trotted back. Rubbleclaw was even smiling a little. "You've got talent, young'un," he said encouragingly. "Lots of potential, especially for speed. You're light, you're lithe. Keep workin' on those running skills, Thrushpaw, and you may turn into the fastest cat in the Clan one day, once Grasstalon retires," he chuckled. "Now all we need to work on is your fighting skills."
"I thought you said I was pretty good at that, too."
"You're about average, compared to the others," Rubbleclaw corrected. "And there's always room for improvement. You've just got to take the initiative and practice."
Well, I thought I was pretty good.
"Thrushpaw?" Moonclaw padded up. "I want you on a patrol with me, Foxpaw, and Rubbleclaw. We're going to have a mentor-patrol type of thing. You and Foxpaw can bond."
No way! Thrushpaw said nothing to the deputy and nodded instead.
"All right, then. This way. I'm going to be leading." Rubbleclaw was standing at the entrance, in conversation with Foxpaw. As they headed out, Foxpaw and Thrushpaw hung back, walking side-by-side, but staying silent. Foxpaw's head was moving back and forth, taking in the surroundings again. Thrushpaw kept his eyes forward.
"Training going fine so far?" he heard Rubbleclaw ask.
"Oh yes," Moonclaw replied, her tail waving. "Foxpaw is an extremely talented young tom. He is very observant, and always seems to know where he is."
As if!
"Is that so? I hope he fights well; Wrenflight and Russetstripe are among the bravest fighters, next to Flamewolf and Shellsong, that is." The two apprentices saw their mentors glancing back at them briefly. "Thrushpaw is pretty fine, but I'm afraid he still needs some improvement on various areas."
Hey! I'm working on it, thought Thrushpaw, though he knew it was half a lie. He hadn't been putting in much effort, and was still tangled up in his depression.
"Foxpaw has showed potential on day one," said Moonclaw proudly. Thrushpaw felt a spike of annoyance; Moonclaw always seemed to be high and mighty. Fox-faced deputy! "He's moving forward very quickly. I'm actually thinking he'll be ready for the basic beginnings of the two-on-one attack in a few days."
WHAT? thought Thrushpaw, feeling alarmed. He's only been an apprentice for a moon. That's not fair!
"Really?" he couldn't help but ask. Foxpaw nodded and shrugged.
"Training's not hard. At least not for me. You just have to work hard," he said, as if it was the easiest thing in the world.
Work hard. Right.
"Rubbleclaw, could you maybe practice fighting with me?" asked Thrushpaw, approaching his mentor. He'd just gotten back to camp after an entire morning of training. I've got to catch up to Foxpaw. I can't let him become a warrior before me!
"Not now," said Rubbleclaw gently, "I've got to go lead a patrol. Ask one of the apprentices."
"Okay." Swallowing his disappointment, he padded to the apprentices' den to look for Blazepaw, who he knew was always up for a good fight. I hope she still likes me.
However, as he approached the apprentices' den, there was a small crowd of curious warriors standing at the entrance. Loud voices could be heard from inside, and Thrushpaw recognized Blazepaw's loud mew, and Stonepaw's angry growl.
"Really? Really? What did I do to deserve this?!" Stonepaw was saying in disbelief, his voice laced with hatred.
"You were always loved, always fawned upon," shrieked Blazepaw. Thrushpaw joined the warriors watching.
"What's going on?" he asked Newtclaw.
"Little bit of sibling conflict," she replied, shrugging. Thrushpaw looked over Badgerstripe's shoulder and frowned in disbelief.
The apprentices' den's ground was splattered with blood. Stonepaw was bleeding all over, and Blazepaw had her head turned away. Twigtail and Alderpaw hovered over them, both looking extremely annoyed and exasperated. Cinderpaw and Emberpaw were standing to the side, both pulling on impassive and emotionless faces.
"Where's Icestar?" asked Badgerstripe sharply. Uh-oh. Thrushpaw examined the scenery. Both Blazepaw's and Stonepaw's claws were bloody. From the dialogue he'd heard, it didn't take a kit to deduce that Blazepaw had deliberately attacked Stonepaw.
"There is no need to tell Icestar about this," said a cool new voice. "He is at StormClan, dealing with another warrior." Rosetail, thought Thrushpaw. Moonclaw stood at the side, her eyes cold. Blazepaw and Stonepaw ceased their arguing, terrified looks stretching over both their faces. Cinderpaw was standing with her mouth slightly open, looking dumbstruck, while Emberpaw looked extremely uncomfortable. I always knew the sisters hated Stonepaw! For what reason?
"Blazepaw," Moonclaw began, somehow conveying white-hot fury without raising her voice. "What you did was uncalled for and low. You had absolutely no reason to attack Stonepaw like that. You deliberately tried to kill your own brother, denmate, and Clanmate. None of this is acceptable. None of this is acceptable. After you are treated, you will see me immediately." Turning to Stonepaw, her hard gaze did not soften. Thrushpaw heard Newtclaw gulp. None of them had seen the deputy like this. Perhaps Icestar had a good reason for picking Moonclaw as his second. "I understand you were defending yourself. But as Blazepaw had no reason to attack you, you had no reason to claw out her eye. You could've killed her, too."
What did he do? thought Thrushpaw in alarm. He glanced at Stonepaw, who was seething at Moonclaw silently through an unhidden scowl. For the first time, he saw Stonepaw as a potential danger. Maybe he's not just an arrogant furball. Two mice says he could murder someone in the future!
"Never have I been more ashamed of WhisperClan apprentices," Moonclaw continued angrily. "You will also see me in my den after I talk to Blazepaw. True warriors have no reason to kill. Skywillow, Windwing, escort them to the medicine cat den." Silently, she stalked away, leaving a silence hanging in the air. Slowly, warriors began to drift away. The two she-cats called out by Moonclaw stepped forward and supported the two apprentices, and they padded away, Twigtail and Alderpaw trailing after them, muttering.
"Don't eavesdrop," said a voice in Thrushpaw's ear. Foxpaw slipped past him and disappeared, leaving Thrushpaw to realize he was standing in the middle of the family. Grayfern, Aspenheart, Pinetail, and Swiftblossom all had the same embarrassed and shocked expressions on their faces. Cinderpaw and Emberpaw shrank into the shadows. Muttering a quick apology, Thrushpaw followed Foxpaw away into the clearing. At least my brothers don't go out-of-their-way to kill me.