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The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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Heatherpaw, nearly a warrior, found herself taking a well worn path to a place that usually had decent hunting prospects. However, this day she was doing less hare chasing and more bee chasing as she had scented pass her by.

With every ill tiding that seemed to plague WindClan they were lucky their spirits weren't all mud trod. Pipertuft...Aspenberry...and now Cedarpaw. It wasn't fair. As much as she was taught that StarClan always has a plan, her mood was dimmed by the shadow of all the loss around her. Still...silver lining had to be sought for a better tomorrow.

When she spotted the cat ahead of her, she padded up slowly towards the older warrior. Maybe Beewhisker deserved peace...quiet, but they also deserved to know that she had their back. "Hello, Beewhisker...Scented...any prey around?"

Real strength isn't just in fighting, it's knowing when to stand firm and when to lend a paw.

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When Heatherpaw approached, Beewhisker didn’t flinch, the only thing that would have indicated acknowledgment of Heatherpaw being there was a simple twitch of the ears, and that was the only sign that they had heard what Heatherpaw was even saying. As they fell silent for longer than it was comfortable before answering her, quiet and voice breaking.

"I wouldn’t know." They spoke, not dismissive or rude, simply devoid of anything that could really be read, except for one thing, the grief that had been plaguing them while they were ‘missing’ for the past night and morning. "I haven’t been hunting." They added, lowering themself to the ground, a pathetic lump of fur and meat that landed sadly on the moorland ground. If it weren’t for the dryness of their fur, some might say that they looked like wet dirty moss, their fur fell messily and unevenly across their body from temporary lack of care. They haven’t bothered.

Their once bright, pale blue eyes seemed duller, almost, half lidded is if they were tired but the rest of their body was rigid and firm. Like they haven’t been able to rest properly since they left. They didn’t really turn to Heatherpaw as they spoke to her. "Did Emberdawn send you to look for me?"

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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teh she-cat's shoulders sagged once she came up beside the cat, unsure how to not be...obvious in the matter. She didn't want to lie to them, so honesty was the best sort of remedy she could think of. Heatherpaw kicked a stone beside her, flipping it into the grass. "Yeah..." Her warrior ceremony was close now and she felt confident enough in her own paws to search for Beewhisker on her own now that the rogue had been dealt with.

"We're worried about you." She stated simply, looking the ragged cat over. It didn't look like she slept a wink since the news. Berrypaw was probably no better, but it wouldn't do to leave the other apprentice wondering where his mother went. She loafed next to the older warrior, long neatly groomed tail curling over her own flank as she glanced over at them, undettered that Beewhisker didn't seem to meet her gaze.

Real strength isn't just in fighting, it's knowing when to stand firm and when to lend a paw.

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Their body rippled beneath their coat, perhaps the only sign that they had responded to Heatherpaw’s touch, how little there was of it. If they were so worried, why hadn’t they looked for Beewhisker yesterday? Cedarpaw was surely more important than that, they understood it for the most part, but the lack of the cats that they had spent their life beside… it clouded their judgement, slightly.

"Why are you worried about me? Everyone should be searching for Cedarpaw." Beewhisker flattened their ears, not moving save from curling their tail tightly around their body. They wanted to share everything, how worried they were for everyone who speaks with them now, what sort of curse had they brought upon the ones they loved, Aspenberry, Cedarpaw, StarClan knows who was next! "You can tell Emberdawn that I’m alive." They added, glancing down at their white paws pressed against the ground.

There was a moment of silence, neither cat leaving, but neither cat making any sort of move to drift closer, all until Beewhisker flicked their eyes towards Heatherpaw "I’m cursed, the cats I get close to, Aspenberry and now Cedarpaw, they’re gone, it could only be a matter of time for another cat vanishes next. Berrypaw… Bayflower?!" They wailed their tail fluffing up slight before flattening, Heatherpaw didn’t need to carry anymore weight of their sorrow. Not now.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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Heatherpaw nearly wilted at Beewhisker's assessment. She knew they'd be confrontational about Cedarpaw. Many cats were still on patrol searching for her, but when the warrior hadn't returned the night before cats started to ask questions. "Why shouldn't I be worried about you?" The split faced apprentice countered. "When you didn't return...What if something had happened to you when your clan needs you most?" She looked down with a sigh, unsure if her words would even reach Beewhisker.

When they started to verbally self wound themselves with their delusions Heatherpaw's ears drooped slowly as she listened. There was no founded way that was the case. "You're not cursed...StarClan wouldn't do that, would they? We will find Cedarpaw...She's not lost yet." Her teal eyes were gentle and imploring and her ears were open to any grievence that the warrior had in their time together. They didn't have to leave for camp yet.

Real strength isn't just in fighting, it's knowing when to stand firm and when to lend a paw.

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Beewhisker didn’t move much as a twitch of their tail as Heatherpaw spoke, the dullness in their eyes still remained, they didn’t quite seem convinced by Heatherpaw’s claims, not quite. With a low sight they let the words slip from their maw, uncontrollable from what they would have preferred to keep in their chest. "Then why is it the cats I’m closest to that keep dying or disappearing? Even Pipertuft assisted in my kitting, we weren’t as close but she saw a side of me that might never appear to anyone else. If I’m not cursed, StarClan is playing a very bad joke my me."

This time, movement rippled over Beewhisker’s body whenever little blades of grass touched it, then they placed their head at their paws in defeat. "I don’t want to go back, but I don’t want to leave WindClan in the lurch either. I don’t know what to do now." They knew Heatherpaw wasn’t exactly equip to help, but not many were, not even they knew what was happening to the full of its extent. If they weren’t sure of themself, what could Heatherpaw possibly do? But… it was nice having her there, even if nothing changed, the presence was nice. Hopefully Heatherpaw wouldn’t leave them.

Beewhisker groomed a small mat from their fur, but it was slow and almost seemed like it cost a decent amount of effort to do so. But they pulled the matted fur free and smoothed it out, even if it took much longer than usual. "I hope we find her soon… I’m not sure what the world would be like without that hope. But I admit, you being here doesn’t make me feel worse. If that means anything."

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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Heatherpaw's ears dipped as she listened. She wasn't sure she had the right words. Bayflower always seemed to know what to say. Aspenberry had known what to say. Even Brightmaple usually knew... The apprentice loafed where she was, offering her company if nothing more.

Her gaze drifted out across the moor. Somewhere out there patrols were still searching. "I don't think StarClan is laughing at you...If every cat who lost someone was cursed, then WindClan wouldn't have any cats left." Heatherpaw didn't feel like she needed to explain. Everyone had lost loved ones at some point, and even she was grappling with watching her second mother, Barleyswipe pass away soon.

"Aspenberry and the others wouldn't want you to lose hope. And when we find Cedarpaw, what do you think she'd think seeing you in such a state?" Her smile was timid but sincere. "Why don't you come back to camp soon? Eat something? And if you still don't wanna do that, I can sit with you again tomorrow."

Real strength isn't just in fighting, it's knowing when to stand firm and when to lend a paw.

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Beewhisker, for the first time since they had heard of Cedarpaw's disappearance, looked to the cat beside them, they weren't sure if Heatherpaw was upset for the same reason that they were, or just taking pity on them because WindClan needed them there. Guilt plagued them for a moment and caused their chest to ache, WindClan needed them too. But how could go back to camp when it felt so... empty. The cats that were missing, it made camp feel so wrong, unlike the home that they had helped built. "Thinking about camp feels painful now." they thought aloud and glanced back at their paws, ears drooping pathetically.

"How am I supposed to go back when it feels so empty?" They rasped with a strained breath, through a chest that was just as tight as the words that came from it. "I don't know what to do. You don't deserve to have my weight on your shoulders. I'm sorry." The spoke softly, apologetically as she plopped their head back onto their white paws. Great StarClan, why was it that their body hurt when they thought of moving back to camp? Their stomach, chest, throat, paws, they all ached like they were dying, but they weren't they were just... there. And Cedarpaw and Aspenberry weren't. That was the problem. Heatherpaw didn't deserve the weight of their woes.

Their blue eyes scanned the moor from their perspective, a prey's perspective... almost. Paws in the distance and distant calling of Cedarpaw's name that made their ear flick. "I should be looking for her too. But everything just feels so heavy. I'm sorry I'm putting all this on you Cedarpaw. I suppose I just... need some rest. Time to... process I suppose. Maybe a hunt will do me some good." Beewhisker added, heaving themselves upward on achy paws then turned back to Heatherpaw, shaky like they hadn't moved since they left the camp. But the idea of eating the feelings away seemed nice. "Would you want to join me?"

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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The older warrior kept acting like they were burdening her, but grief wasn't something a cat could carry neatly by themselves. "You don't have to apologize...'specially to me." Heatherpaw had come looking to see if she could spot them. She rose when Beewhisker finally pushed themselves upright, relief quietly blooming in her chest. They were thinking about doing something besides worrying. That was a start.

"I'd like that!" She purred, thinking back to all those clever Bayflower tactics for hunting different game. Maybe they'd find a bird to sneak up on. The apprentice matched Beewhisker's pace, noticing the shake in their legs but didn't comment on it.

"Things keep changing...I'll be a warrior soon. Or at least I hope so. It felt awfully different changing from my nursery nest to the apprentice den. Maybe you could help me find something nice to decorate my new nest?"

Be the reason someone smiles today.

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Beewhisker glanced over to Heatherpaw as she chose to join them, a small smile curved their lips, but they didn't make it last long, how could they be happy when Aspenberry was dead and Cedarpaw was missing, how could they betray them like that? They deserved to be smiling too. Beewhisker just couldn't not when they were gone, not when they wouldn't see their smiles. They just couldn't. 

"You and Oatpaw." Beewhisker replied softly, flicking their damaged ear before sniffing at the ground for anything that might fill the clan's belly. "The kits will be apprentices soon as well..." They didn't refer to them as Aspenberry's kits, it hurt to much, they had shared the nursery for a time, it was such a great time spent there. Now they wouldn't even be able to visit the nursery without crumbling on their paws... Speaking of-

Beewhisker's paws shook as their thoughts came flowing again, but they intentionally tried not to fall. They glanced towards Heatherpaw... had she always been that tall? It seemed like just a few nights ago she was cuddling up to Brightmaple's belly, now... Stars... Beewhisker would have smiled if they were letting themself, but they didn't they just blinked for a moment before looking away "You'll make a fine warrior, you and Oatpaw both." they added with a sigh, the tone was supposed to be positive, but all that came out seemed numb, empty. Like there was a hole where the bubbly warrior's joy was meant to be. Would that hole fill again? Beewhisker didn't know. But they should focus on the hunt now.

"I'll help you decorate it personally if you want. I'll help you find anything you'd like, even if your nest gets cleaned out." The answered. It might give me something to do outside of camp they thought, something much more internal than anything else. "Do you know Barleyswipe's favourite prey? Maybe we could see what we can gather up for her."

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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Heatherpaw's ears perked at the offer. "That sounds great!" She shrugged mid step, trying not to make a big deal about it even though she was buzzing. "I don't need anything fancy. Maybe some pretty feathers...And if we find any flowers that dry nicely. I think I'd like something that reminds me of the moor." She voice trailed thoughtfully.

At the mention of Barleyswipe, Heatherpaw's expression softened. "Call her old fashioned, but she likes rabbit...She'd never admit it. I think she still holds a grudge against them all since that one time one's claw got her throat."

Laughing through her nose, the apprentice continued with Beewhisker until a breeze brought her ears forward. "Oh!" Heatherpaw crouched low, excitement momentarily overcoming her worries. The scent was faint but fresh, and this time she wasn't chasing bees or thoughts.

"I smell rabbit. Want to try Bayflower's chasing technique with me?"

Be the reason someone smiles today.

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Beewhisker's ears flicked as they watched Heatherpaw fall into a crouch so easily practiced it felt as if she had always known it since she was a kit. But Beewhisker knew it too, they lowered themself, the thrill of the hunt making them feel lighter almost. The ache was thill there, and it still hurt, but the hunting, the aspect of feeding the clan, the idea of sharing prey with an old friend, it was nice enough to make Beewhisker push forward.

And yet, sorrow remained, Aspenberry and Cedarpaw should be experiencing all of this with Heatherpaw, they should be experiencing it all with them with the whole clan, but they weren't, Aspenberry was dead and Cedarpaw was StarClan knows where. It killed them inside that the world was still able to continue on without them there. But then THUMP. The rabbit was darting off.

"You go left and cut off it's path!" Beewhisker called out before darting forward at a speed that wasn't usually common for their size and stature, but it was there, in the fur, Beewhisker, blocked any dens it could run to, allowing Heatherpaw to lead the rabbit right to them "I'll catch it when it comes by way! You've got this Heatherpaw!" their ears lifted for just a moment, but the effort at lifting ears that still felt heavy didn't do well on the warrior, so the sadness they still felt drooped them further. And yet, their eyes focused on the confused, darting shape, following it's erratic movements, waiting for the victory.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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Heatherpaw's heart leapt into her throat as the rabbit exploded from the grass. The apprentice felt herself freezing if it wasn't for Bayflower's encouragement as the lessons rushed between her ears. "Right!" Heatherpaw was already moving, veering left.

Long legs ate up the moor beneath her as she sprinted to intercept and her instinct screamed at her to follow every twitch and turn. She skidded once the rabbit turned and lunged to block its escape as she yowled. "There!"

With a squeak the rabbit darted away and straight towards Beewhisker. Heatherpaw, focused on the chase, followed close behind.

Be the reason someone smiles today.

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As the rabbit came darting toward Beewhisker, they hesitated for a moment, They remembered hunting with Aspenberry with Cedarpaw, something like that would never happen again. It was a massive hunch, but Beewhisker had a feeling that Cedarpaw wasn't coming home anytime soon. They didn't know for certain, they hoped they were wrong, that Cedarpaw would come back and everything would go back to normal, but twolegs were near impossible to escape. Badgerstar was still trapped with them. He was a leader, so what hope was there for Cedarpaw really.

The increased volume of thumping rabbit paws broke them out of their grieve driven trance and their jaws snapped around the rabbit's throat, pressing down until the kicking and struggles stilled into a limp mass of fur and fresh, mouth watering scent of the meat beneath. It was then that Beewhisker loosened and let go of the prey. They then lifted their head to see if Heatherpaw had seen the catch and come any closer to them.

"It's done." Beewhisker stated, where there would usually be pride and joy from the catch, there was only an empty husk of where it should have been, the smile they tried to give was lessened by the idea of betraying their memory. But eventually, they weren't sure how long, but eventually, their smile will return again, at least... they hoped it would.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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Heatherpaw felt the wind in her long fur and her heart thumping in her breast as she caught up to the cornered rabbit that ended up thudding right into Beewhisker's awaiting jaws. It was a perfect example of WindClan teamwork and she was thankful for the warrior's help.

Hopefully it distracted them just enough to try and look forward. Try and focus on finding Cedarpaw before grief flooded over anything else. Her tail lifted once the flight was ended, rabbit secured. Barleyswipe would be pleased.

"I think we work well together. That was good teamwork." She meowed politely towards them. "Should we take it back to camp now? I can't wait to see the look on Barleyswipe's face."

Be the reason someone smiles today.

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Beewhisker's eyes softened a touch as Heatherpaw spoke of teamwork, that is what hunting patrols were all about. Not the reward, however rewarding it was, it was about the bonding, the teamwork. The loyalty and trust between the two clanmates. A unfightable rumble came from Beewhisker's chest as they nodded at Heatherpaw. "Perhaps... We'll do more together when you're a warrior. I could tell you all about some tales Tawnyflight told me when I was a kit. And some I made up." they offered softly, not quite a smile, but not as empty as it was. It was something but the tri-colored feline had a long time time go.

"You take it back." Beewhisker responded, nudging the prey towards the close-to-warrior aged apprentice with a single white paw "I'm still not going back just yet, I might see if I could catch something... for me." They stated, flicking the tip of their tail. The idea of the camp still ached, but if Heatherpaw was there, perhaps it would hurt just that little bit less. "If today is any decider of your skills, you're warrior ready." they added, softer and quieter.

They tuned, lifting up their nose to see if they would be able to trek in anymore prey for the day, there were scents, enough to make them continue a hunt with hope of success. "I hope Barleyswipe gets a good meal out of the rabbit. Don't just give me all the credit will you?" they chirped, trying to seem good humored, even though their face didn't really show it. They then turned away, ready to find something else that they could sink their fangs into.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
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Heatherpaw's ears perked at the mention of stories. Her dames had plenty of them, all the adventures WindClan cats seemed to collect over a lifetime. With a smile and a nod of confirmation, the apprentice hooked a paw around the creature they had felled together.

Her whiskers twitched with uncertainty, but she didn't argue. The fact that Beewhisker was talking about hunting more and looking towards the future was all that mattered at the moment. "Okay. But only because you promised you'll catch something for yourself."

The notes of Beewhisker's praise made the she-cat's ears flatten with poised embarassment but none the less the compliment settled warmly within her. "I'll tell Barleyswipe exactly what happened. I think she'd appreciate that. Maybe I'll embellish it. Who knows."

The apprentice's mottled tail lifted. "See you later, Beewhisker. Good hunitng." Then, with rabbit in her mouth, Heatherpaw turned toward camp