Run to the skies

[ZEPHYR]

Zephyrstar was wandering around camp, thinking of things he had to do. He usually wasn't behind on things but he just felt like he was missing something. Let's see, ahh, apprentices? No. Hunting? Thoughts raced in his mind, and he located the fresh-kill pile ahead of him, and it was running low, but not too bad. It couldn't be what he was looking for; at least, he though he was looking for something.

A gentle breeze fluffed his long fur and he turned around. I might as well get a hunting patrol together, while I'm here. he thought to himself and calmed down for a moment. WIth a deep breath, he convinced himself that he was just having a bad day, and he wasn't forgetting anything. He shook himself and then began looking for hid Deputy, Dragonmoon.

[Dragon.Of.The.Moon]

DragonMoon had taken the warm day to her advantage. It wasn't one of the moree cold days, so she slept in the sun, curled in a tight ball. Most of the work around Camp had been finished, even if the fresh-kill pile was low. I have to get up soon Dragonmoon thought about her duties for the Clan. She opened her eyes and blinked.

DragonMoon yawned, and flicked her ears, making sure the cats in the Clan were safe. With that done, she stood up and smiled. DragonMoon eyed the prey in the pile. There were only a few mice there, and soon there would be nothing left. She thought about asking Zephyrstar if there would be an afternoon patrol.

[[White n' Nerdeh]]

[/i] He thought in frustration. All his friends were with mentors, and they were out training! But not him.. Why not him? Why didn't Zephyrstar give him a mentor yet? Snorting, he started to run back towards camp, eyes glittering keenly. He would talk to his leader about it right now. Right this second. A grin spread across his face and he just ran faster, eyes fixed on the camp entrance. Which really, wasn't an entrance. More a strong scent that told him. Either way it didn't matter.

A flurry of dark brown tabby fur whirled by Zephyrstar and Dragonmoon. You could have thought it was some kind of mini tornado at first glance. But of course, no, this wasn't the case at all. It was Jetpaw, Jetpaw who was running like the devil was on his tail. Jetpaw ducked to avoid slamming an overhanging branch in camp and then turned a full circle to whip by the leader and the warrior again. For a few minutes this continued, running forth and back, around and around. Running like he had all the energy of StarClan at his paws. Finally, Jetpaw did stop to stare at his leader. He stared with a sharp blue penetrating stare.

"Zephyrstar...." He began in a whiny voice, then cut himself off suddenly. "Ahem.. I mean. Zephrystar. Can you give me a mentor yet?" He asked in a lower, more serious tone. Jetpaw liked to strut around pretending he was a warrior, when he hadn't even began training. Jetpaw snorted inwardly. At his own ceremony, his leader wasn't even able to give him a mentor. Craziness! Perishing the thought, he shook his ruffled tabby fur briefly. Then it began to itch somewhere at his shoulder blade so his began to hastily groom his mottled fur. Jetpaw's fur had the tendancy to get ruffled easily anyways, so he didn't often bother grooming it at all, much to the dismay of the other cats in his clan. But Jetpaw liked to think of himself as a true wild cat, a jungle cat. Yeah... A jungle cat.. He though, smirking inwardly.

As the moments rolled by, he wondered if Zephyrstar had even heard him because of his hasty actions. The maine coon tom blinked his ocean blue eyes and started slipping into his dream world before he could even think about it. Jetscream the warrior... Jetslash... Jetfang, Jetrain, Jetterror, Jetthunder, Jetblaze... Jetstream! Yeah... Jetstream the warrior... I bet I could take on badgers! His thoughts began to absorb him deeply.[/ul]

[ZEPHYR]

With a small smile the gray leader shifted his position to face the apprentice. Zephyrstar stood up and looked the tiny apprentice in the face, and he paused. He knew that the ceremony he was planning was days away; he felt bad about having so many apprentices with no current mentors...how had that escaped him? Ah, the dissapointment in their eyes, the kits who were no more warriors today then they were when they were born. But their eyes...especially Jetpaw's. There was such determination. Not even the depths of the ocean shined so much. Zephyrstar could hardly bring himself to speak. He was the leader, but lately he felt like he was always going to say the wrong thing.

"Jetpaw, I know you've been waiting. I apologize for this...this, erm, delay. I assure you that in the matter of days you shall be able to begin training with your mentor." Zephyrstar sighed and blinked several times before turning to walk away. Suddenly, his chest tensed and he felt a wave of guilt crashing over him. Sucking in one harsh, shallow breath after another, he turned around to face the little apprentice, looked into his eyes, and spoke against his better judgement. Managing a small smile, he looked around and set his eyes on Dragonmoon, then the fresh-kill pile. "In the meantime, how would you like to go on a little hunting adventure with your deputy and your leader?"

Zephyrstar was having a battle in his head, and he wondered to himself whether he should have spoken or not. But after a few moments, he looked on and knew that he had to do this. For every moment he missed, every experience he lost, he wanted to make up for it. When he looked into the eyes of any apprentice, he never saw the tiny paws and the inexperience they held. He looked into their eyes and he saw the mindset of a warrior, a heart brimming with loyalty; he saw more than a kit, more than who they were on the outside. In their eyes reflected the glimmer of the ocean and he knew that they deserved everything WindClan and he himself could offer. And it was his job to make sure that they got that.

So, with that, Zephyrstar turned to face Dragonmoon and beckoned softly with his eyes. Please, please. If not for me, do it for Jetpaw. he mouthed and waited as calmly as possible for both cats to answer.

[»Phantom]

Nothingcomparesto__//&&

[/color]

A cream colored head poked out from around the apprentice's den, emerald eyes gleaming. Floodpaw and Cranepaw were sleeping, and they didn't appreciate being woken up, so Creampaw was extremely bored. Plus, he had no mentor, thus, no cat to train him. Thickreed was the closest thing that the trio did have to mentors, and they appreciated it. Creampaw's mentor had died, Floodpaw's mentor just didn't like mentoring, and ignored Floodpaw, and Cranepaw's mentor... Well, let's just say that Cranepaw liked to avoid her mentor. Plus, if they were hunting, maybe they'd go by RiverClan. Maybe Cloudpaw'd be hunting too.

No! Stop that! You don't like her anymore, right, Creampaw? Mentally berating himself, he tried to let his mind fool his heart. Yes, he did still love Cloudpaw. A lot. But enough of that, Creampaw bounced around the corner, stopping gracefully as possible in front of the other three. Eyes sparkling wickedly, he drew his tongue around his muzzle. It'd been a long time since he went hunting with a cat other than his family. And the leader and deputy too, at that!

'Did somebody say 'adventure'? Because if they did, I'm in.' He asked, tone quite clearly eager. It'd been so long since he'd had an adventure. Thirteen moons and still far too kit-like at some times, and wise beyond his years at others. Delivering a couple of neat licks about his body, he stared curiously at Jetpaw, Zephyrstar, and Dragonmoon, eager to know where they were going and just what was going on.

Mind whirring with activity, his ears perked slightly as the word 'mentor' caught his attention. 'Oh, that's right! I'd need a new mentor too, I think, since Rabbitear died of greencough a while back... Cranepaw and Floodpaw want new mentors too, but they didn't want to ask you.' Seeing that mentors made his leader slightly uncomfortable, he shifted his tone. 'Of course, they don't really mind... Neither do I. After all, I have Thickreed, right?' Finishing lamely, he had a bit of a false happiness expression on his face. Thickreed was no good mentor. He had such high standards...

Shifting the subject, he shrugged. 'Anyways, I've been dying to get outta camp with someone other than Floodpaw and Cranepaw. Floodpaw's kind of mousebrained sometimes, and Cranepaw's... Well, she's Cranepaw.' Shrugging once more, he settled onto his haunches, licking his paw, then drawing it over his ear. Again, he licked a paw, and drew it over the other ear. Once he was done cleaning himself, he looked back up at Zephyrstar and Dragonmoon in mild dismay. They were just so big... Well, bigger than him.

'So, about that adventure...' Raising his chin slightly to look at the other three, he twitched his whiskers, curling his tail neatly around his paws. They had said that they were going on an adventure - and when there was an adventure, there usually also was Creampaw.

Aquieteveningalone__//&&[/color]
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[[White n' Nerdeh]]

[/i] he was. The leader didn't usually go on patrols and the deputy was meant to organize them in the first place. "Really? You'd let me come! Thanks! Cool let's go! Is it gonna be like an adventure?" He called out loudly, leaping to his paws. The word adventure rolled off his tongue so pleasently.

Suddenly, Creampaw's voice broke into his bittersweet daydreams. "Wha?" He asked, whipping around to face the other apprentice. The surprised look melted off his face and turned to relaxation. "Oh hi Creampaw." He sighed, seeming releived. "You wanna come? Zephyrstar and Dragonmoon are taking me out on a patrol." He put in cheerily, ears perking up. He suddenly looked fully alert and ready. His tail was lashing back and forth in a sort of rythm.[/ul]

[ZEPHYR]

"Of course, any apprentice may come if they wish. We would be delighted to have you all." Zephyrstar meowed and looked around for any sign of another warrior that would like to come. He thought to himself and sighed. How many apprentices without mentors were there? How could he have messed up that bad and never noticed that there were multiple apprentices without mentors? I guess it won't be too bad if it's just Jetpaw and Creampaw. he thought again, and hoped to StarClan that if there were more apprentices, he would have more cats willing to come on the patrol. But then again, he needed someone in charge of the camp while he and the Deputy were on a patrol...

Quickly Zephyrstar put his own personal thoughts on hold. "Creampaw, why don't you go get any of the apprentices that would like to come? Tell them that we shall leave at sunhigh." he meowed cheerfully and looked into the sky. The sun was rising, but it wasn't quite sunhigh yet. Making a mental note how much time he approximately had, he turned to his deputy Dragonmoon. "Would you like to assemble another warrior or two to go on this patrol? Tell them that this might also lead to those warriors recieving an apprentice to mentor!" he said with a bright expression on his face.

Turning back to Jetpaw, he looked warmly at the cat; not much more than a kit by his face, but he definitely had the heart of a warrior inside of him. "Jetpaw, I appreciate you bringing this to my attention. That probably took a little bit of bravery. Now, if you would like, you may have some influence on your mentor. Is there anyone in particular that you would like?" Zephyrstar said, hoping that Jetpaw would appreciate what he was doing for him.

[»» Forest]

A average sized blackish cat stepped out of the small bush he had found. He had over heard the apprentices needed mentors and maybe he could be lucky enough to be chosen for one of them. Inkheart knew the others would not approve of an outsider training one of their apprentices, but he just wanted to help. He didn't understand how cats could be so cruel then he thought of the great Firestar. He had been a kittypet and then a great leader maybe there was hope for him after all. Inkheart padded over to the other Windclan cats he knew that some of the apprentices would be staring at him but he didn't care.

Inkheart waved his tail slightly to show he would be going if he was welcome. He looked at the apprentices they all had no mentors and they were short on warriors. A flash of hope went through his eyes but vanished when he knew that that would never work. How could it he didn't even know where his father was or who he was. He knew he had been tribe born not clan born. His tribe had been cruel but only to become great. He didn't know who his mother was either he didn't even remember her or any of the tribes members. Inkheart had only been a new born kit how could he have remembered.

Inkheart finally got back to reality when his leader was talking to some apprentices. He sat down and thought about what Zephyrstar had said to Jetpaw. Jetpaw, I appreciate you bringing this to my attention. That probably took a little bit of bravery. Now, if you would like, you may have some influence on your mentor. Is there anyone in particular that you would like? Maybe Jetpaw would pick him. He highly doubted it though why would he pick him when the deputy and the leader could have him as a apprentice. Inkheart sank into a sitting position. He would not care if he was not chosen as a mentor for Jetpaw he could bear more pain on his heart. Inkheart was not a very open cat piling all his pain and anger inside and letting it out when no one was there.

((wow that my longest post every I think yay I'm getting better))

[.Jester.]

Chrome white shined blissfully under the glare of the mounting sun, burning deep upon that crystalline pelt, a dazzling contrast to the mahogany mud of her paws, those burning amber eyes gazed steely onwards and dainty pink nose situated at the end of a finally chiselled muzzle twitched as a pesky insect flew too close. Our picturesque she-cat sat alone at the edge of the Windclan main clearing, observing silently, contemplating the situation shown before her, slowly her graceful cranium would turn with each word passed from feline to feline, missing not a word and following the mewed convocation critically, pondering whether to slink forward and intervene after all she too was a formidable warrior missing an apprentice by her side. Within the deep crevasses of her heart a deep soft spot for kits was held there, how she wished to have some of her own yet she strived so hard to become a better warrior it was hard to become lax and let herself fall for a mate.

Toms were tricky cats to muster and Mudfoot had seen more than one queen become disheartened when the father of her kits springs upon her he wishes not to reveal his part of the family, Mudfoot knew she could and would not take risks, more than once she had been told of her looks, this information received with a scowl from her. Her kin would be born from love if not at least fondness that were a certain reliability the she-cat held close. Her lengthy whip like tail slithered behind her as slowly her muscles rippled beneath that solid snowy pelt and she arose, elongated strides carrying her forth to the gathering group of “adventuring” felines, halting her decent with amber gazers half closed and a gentle purr letting loose from her gullet tender vocals ensured. [You wouldn’t leave on an adventure without me now would you?] a smile befell her façade and amusement flickered in her eyes, nodding in respect and acknowledgement to both Dragonmoon and Zephyrstar Mudfoot on dark hued paws descended to situate herself beside the newly arrived Inkheart.

Close beside the tom our young she-cat sat, curling her long tail around those muddy padders at the front, not one for words a sly look from the corner of her eye noted the silent exterior of Inkheart, tentatively placing her nose against his broad shoulder a concerned mew sounded out, [Is everything alright Inkheart? I hear the apprentices are in need of mentors, mayhap we may be lucky enough?]. Mudfoot knew not of the true origin of the tom for she was much younger and born moons after, however if indeed she knew empathy would ensure for she also was not born of Windclan but rather of a kittypet and loner, only thanks for Starclan did her clan take her in, yet they accepted her and thought of her as one of them. Swiftly raking her gaze over the young cats gathered around hope surged within.

[ ooc. Urgh…¬_¬; ]

[Redfang]

Lightningpaw woke-up to a bright dawning sun. He yawned and as he did his pointed fangs revealed themselves, but only for a moment. He got up and stretched, his claws shining in the sun. Life is good, he thought, all thoughts of his father gone for the time being. He looked at the sky and squinted and blinked several times before his eyes adjusted. It was going to be a nice day for a change for rain had been falling for several days on end. A gentle breeze caught his fur, sending ripples through it. Yes! Wind! My most worthy opponent when it comes to a race, Lightningpaw thought, but not in a selfish way. He did not think of any of the other apprentices below him or weaker then him. He just liked a good challenge, and the wind was a perfect one when it came to a race.

Suddenly, he heard the voice of his leader and other warriors and apprentices. He only caught several words like patrol and hunting. Zephrystar must be going out on a hunting patrol and is most likely deciding who to take right now, he thought. He gave himself a shake and licked his fur in several places before going out toward the group of cats. As he listened to them from a little ways over, he heard that he was right about him going hunting. He look and saw that most of the apprentices wanted to go and the deputy as well as several warriors.He also heard them talk about apprentices receiving mentors. At this excitement rose in his chest, but it did not show on his face. Instead he kept a mask of interest on his face. To finally have a permanent mentor would be great, and a lot less confusing for WindClan. he didn't like having a different warrior take him out almost every other day. He looked at Zephrystar. Who would he chose for his mentor? He highly doubted it would be the leader himself. Many other apprentices were more suited for Zephrystar to train, while Lightningpaw was just an apprentice with no family left and a quest to kill his father. What leader would want to mentor that? Well, it didn't matter to Lightningpaw, as long as he got a mentor.

Again, Lightningpaw looked at how many cats wanted to go. A few more then usually for a hunting patrol. If anything, it looked like every cat wanted to go. Well, of course, they could get a apprentice if they go, so of course they want to improve their chances, Lightningpaw thought silently. Suddenly, a thought hit him and he knew that he would have be the one to do it if now one else was going to. He would have to stay behind and guard camp while they went out hunting. He didn't have a problem with it, he knew it was part of being an apprentice, a future warrior. he walked over to the cats and nodded in respect to Dragonmoon and Zephrystar. Looking at Zephrystar, he mewed, "A hunting patrol? I guess you'll need me to guard camp?" He kept his voice emotionless and smooth as well as his face. So what if he missed one hunting patrol, he'd be on many, many more in his life.

((Remembered what we talked about Zephry! And I hope the post is long enough, Snow!))

[ZEPHYR]

Zephyrstar turned his great gray tabby head towards Lightningpaw. He stared at the apprentice, searching in his face for any hint of funny business. But all he saw in the tiny tom's face was honesty, interest and the eager look that was tatooed onto the faces of every apprentice. At first, Zephyrstar's mouth curled up in a tiny smile, then a grin, and finally a small laugh; more like a chuckle. "You think that I would let all of the other apprentices go out on a hunting patrol and not bring you?" he said with genuine affection in his voice and a gentle sparkle in his eyes. "I think that you know what you will be doing;" the tabby tom meowed in a soft, friendly voice, "And it won't be guarding camp. Come along, Lightningpaw, you deserve this."

With a turn and a flick of his tail, he gathered the remaining cats around him. Moving his eyes along the WindClan cats, he silently counted in his head. "Okay, while we are gone, Mudfoot will watch over the camp. Now we must wait for a few others to come before heading out on this patrol. This is a very exciting day for you, you apprentices. Soon after this I will be deciding on your mentors, depending on how this trip goes. I will be silently assessing you, and watching to see who would be best to mentor you in the moons to come." he added with a confident mew.

(Sorry it's so short but I have to go soon...))

[Redfang]

Lightnignpaw was surprised at his leader. I deserve this? How? I've done nothing special, nor am I special. If anything, I don't deserve this. You're just a runt, Lightningpaw, just a runt with hardly anything special about you at all. Lightningpaw mentally shook himself. He shouldn't be thinking like that, those are thoughts of a coward and untrue warrior; the thoughts of probably his father. Again, he mentally shook himself. He didn't need thoughts like that, not on such a happy day. Today, he was going to get a mentor, which was more then he could ask for; more then he deserved. Through this whole silent, mentle war, nothing showed on his face.

Without a word, he stood and waited. A hunting patrol, this was great! He was a great hunter because of his speed and what skill he had. This would be perfect for Zephrystar to choose his mentor off of. He wanted a mentor who could keep up with his speed, thats all. He felt guilty when all the warriors would fall behind him when they took him hunting. He looked at Mudfoot and felt bad. She probably wanted to go as well, which made him feel bad, but he had already made his offer. And the leader objected. The leader's word is law, Lightningpaw reminded himself and kept his mouth shut.

[.Jester.]

Silently she watched as yet another young feline became swept up within the tangled mass of cats to whom would join the hunting expedition, her large pink filled ears twittered atop her sleek cranium as they followed the mews passed from Lightingpaw to Zephyrstar. A rippling purr resounded from her gullet, fiery amber eyes half closed in the mid morning heat, a smile creeping to her jowls as the valiant young tom felt the need to query whether he should stay behind and protect the camp. However Mudfoot had doubts to whether or not the young golden cat could stay and fight back a score of rogues or opposing clan cats, even if he turned out to be the strongest and swiftest feline within Windclan, against five or more quite possibly only a leader would survive, especially considering the youth was an inexperienced apprentice. Yet Mudfoot felt a little swelling of pride within to know that a future warrior of her clan should be, as gentleman like as Lightingpaw.

Raking her intense amber gaze over each young apprentice Mudfoot counted a meagre three to the actual six of Windclan, maybe Zephyrstar wished them to stay behind or they had just not showed. Furrowing her brow slightly she let her eyes wander to the entrance of the apprentices den, were could the remaining three be? Surely not out already. Of course her leaders mews resounded her from her thinking, catching her attention and rendering her unable to attend. Nodding with a slight smile to the large grey tom Mudfoot lay her slender frame to the terrain below, short chrome fur bristling on her tail as it flickered against the hard packed earth, she enjoyed the muted clan life as it busied itself around the camp, her observing unnoticed until she’s needed. [Enjoy the hunt young ones.] all the while her purring never ceased.


The timid young she-cat watched with dull amber eyes, the over hanging bracken of the nursery den draping her blazing pelt in a folly of shadows, she lay quietly with pretty cranium resting on her large front paws, muscled young build still with anticipation. Her mother stood over her; tabby pelt shrouded also, her words sounded out in a whisper, [Dogpaw, you are an apprentice now, you cannot simply hide within here with me, one day you shall have to battle and hunt, mayhap this day be now?]. Sighing heavily and closing those brilliant eyes the vermilion she-cat raised herself, mewing all but silently to her mother as with tentative steps she revealed herself from the den, light catching her pelt like a burning pyre, immediately regretting her decision Dogpaw slunk forward.

[Zephyrstar…May I, erm, join the hunt?] Those quietly spoken vocals held steady, not betraying her timid nature as much as she thought. Sitting with head hanging Dogpaw’s heart thumped wildly in her chest, so much so she thought the others would here it, this would be her first hunt if she was allowed to tag along. Of course she had heard her leaders words, but doubted she would gain a mentor until the next generation of kit came around, she had no friends or allies and but one skill. Battling.

[Kurαlו]

Bloodpaw yawned and stretched his legs, trying to shake of his dream. He had dreamt of his warrior ceremony, and he was obtaining his warrior name when he heard Zephyrstar and some of the aprrentices chatting. His ears twitched, and through the entrance to the aprrentice's den came the voices. He couldn't hear exactly what they were saying, but he could piece it together from the words he heard. Apprentices, hunting, mentors, Mudfoot, patrol. Mudfoot? What did Mudfoot have to do with apprentices. Oh. Yes. Now he remembered. She was a warrior, and that meant she would be mentoring one of them. But why not mention and other warriors?

Ah, what's the matter with me, Bloodpaw thought, I should just get out there and ask to come on the hunting patrol. He stood up and extended his front legs, straining his ears to ear more of the conversation. When none came, horror clawed at his heart. They've left without me! And with that, he ran out of the den and almost collided with Dogpaw.

"Oh, um, so sorry. My bad, I didn't know you guys would still be here. Zephyrstar, am I right that you're going on a hunting patrol with apprentices? May I come, please?" Bloodpaw took a gasp of air. He had said all that in one breath, and he nearly passed out from the strain.

((whoot, I'm getting better!))

[»» Forest]

A black and orange shape had been lost in emotion. He did not realize how many cats were moving around how many had joined in. His gazed shifted around looking at every cat there but somehow it always came back to the same ghostly she-cat. He looked at her but could not stand the thought of getting himself caught looking at her. Inkheart had never felt this way before. The feeling was new and strange not even to his foster mother had he felt this way about. He had heard some cats talking about it love. Yeah, that was it's name. He loved Mudfoot, how could he. He had never done anything with her. She had been one of the cats who never knew about his past. She had just been apprenticed when he had his warriors ceremony.

Inkheart looked once again at her beautiful white fur well groomed and the sun against her fur made it glisten in the light. He forced himself to get a little closer. He breathed in her sweet scent. He imagined her running next to him in the open moors of Windclan territory. Hunting in the open grass lands. He imagined them out on the moors in the moon light tails twined just walking, walking together like nothing else in the world mattered. His tail was reaching for Mudfoot's, but Inkheart came into reality fast enough to yank it back. How could he hurt himself like that. He knew he loved Mudfoot, but how could he tell her he was a silent depressed cats getting even more depressed by the second. Why would Mudfoot love him he never talked, why would any cat love him. Oh Mudfoot if you could hear me now I love you He quickly thought that hoping the cat of his dreams would hear him. How could she have heard him he was only thinking it. Yeah ever cat has heard of how Squirrelpaw and Leafpaw communicated, but that was through dreams and they were siblings. Inkheart wrapped his tail around his paws and thought mumbling to himself.