I’m still a Warrior no matter what you say!
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Boldclaw lay contently in some shade near the Elders’ Den. He still wasn’t happy to be residing there, but his kin, and now the deputy, Emberdawn, had given him some purpose back. It was interesting how these past few moons had gone. After several moons sequestered in the Elders’ Den with little to do but watch his life go by, things had begun to look up as Basilflame had found the desire to talk to him. Of all cats in the clan, she alone had seemed to remember what an admiration he had been before his early and forced retirement. Not long after though, with his mood lifted, he had talked to one of the clan’s kits and had his entire world shattered once more.

For a moon after that he had lain in the Elders’ Den, miserable. So miserable had he become, that he had avoided Basilflame, not wanting her to see him so broken. He knew that she wanted to make good on her promise to take him hunting regardless of what the clan’s leader and deputy said, but what was the point in allowing her to risk getting in trouble for such a useless mangepelt as he? That last moon of greenleaf had likely been one of the darkest in Boldclaw’s life. It was only broken by the promotion of his cousin to deputy. Boldclaw didn’t think Emberdawn had thought much of him, but whether kinship or the tom truly thought well of the cream coloured tom, he had somehow persuaded Fawnstar into allowing to participate in apprentice tasks.

It was somewhat undignified in Boldclaw’s mind that he was essentially on apprentice duties, but at least he had something to do each day. Windclan’s dens had never been so strong or rainproof, in the pointed tom’s opinion. He also had plans to ensure the dens would stay warm once the cold finally hit. Unfortunately, he still didn’t seem to be trusted to go far from the camp, and the mentors of the apprentices obnoxiously kept taking them for training. Even when they weren’t training, some didn’t exactly listen to Boldclaw unless they were directly tasked with reinforcing the dens under his guidance.

It was because of this that Boldclaw now found himself lazing in the sun, enjoying a completely unwanted break. Since being allowed to do something, the tom could be described as a bit of a workaholic. Often he worked on the dens even without the help of the apprentices, but he needed to collect more twigs, grasses or whatever else could be used to reinforce the camp’s walls before he could do anything, and he wasn’t allowed out alone as far as he knew. Sighing, Boldclaw lay his head on his paws and watched the happenings of the camp, his tail twitching rhythmically as he watched for an apprentice he could try to convince to gather materials instead of enjoying their own break from training and chores.

Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing.

･ﾟ✧⭑🍓⭑✧･ﾟ

Berrypaw hadn't been able to get to sleep. Not because of his usual energy, but due to the offer that was handed to both Berrypaw and Cedarpaw earlier in the day. As much as he acted agressive to the outsider that day, he just knew that is what he was supposed to do. He noticed how Cedarpaw seemed so angry with him, how hesitant she was, how she was left with time to think about the choice. He was so scared, he was so worried, he was going to lose Cedarpaw, he was sure he was.

It terrified him. How could he sleep when he and his sister weren't even getting along enough to say goodbye properly if she left the clan forever. He wouldn't know when he would se her again if she left. He needed to talk with herm, if she left, he couldn't have their last conversation be an argument. He didn't want her to be remember him that way, not now, not ever. 

Berrypaw lifted her head and turned to where his sister's nest was, next to his own. He used his tail to nudge the pointed cat softly, in an attempt not to wake Heatherpaw and Oatpaw. "Cedarpaw... Cedarpaw! Are you awake?" He whisper-shouted at her, furrowing his brows. There was no energy in his eyes, none of the bright mischief he was known for, just a lack or hope, he was hurt, not by Cedarpaw possibly choosing to leave him, but at himself for potentially pushing her closer to doing so. "I... I want to talk."

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

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It felt that the longer that Emberdawn stood at the attention of the clan, the easier it seemed to get for him, at least this patrol assignment stuff anyway... the rest of the additions that came with being deputy would still need some getting used to. But regardless he took his place at the meeting place and rose his chin. "WindClan! To me!" he echoed, his cinnamon tail flicking behind him as the warriors gathered.

"Basilflame, I'd like you to take Heatherpaw and Breezewing along the border by Tresspass point. Mark your scent where you can." He began his voice didn't trail like it may have done previously but instead it almost boomed with the smallest spark of confidence, but how long would it last? "Bayflower, you will lead a patrol consisting of Petalsnap and Shadesleek past the fenceline separating our territory from the barn. Take Oatpaw with you." For a moment, he paused, now the cats to guard the camp and to hunt for the clan, it was easy enough.

"Boulderdash, you and Fallheart will take turns standing sentry over camp throughout the day." He added, flicking his tail for a moment before turning to the remaining warriors. "Beewhisker and Smallclaw, I will take the both of you hunting at sunhigh. And later, Fawnstar may take Brighteyes for a hunt at dusk." Emberdawn glanced over at the warriors, a moment as if he was searching for approval but it faded from his eyes. But not so quickly his heart.

"Mentors, keep your apprentices on their paws. Warriors, stay vigilant, nothing is more important than your safety."

Looking this good is a full-time job
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁️ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Pacing up and down the edge of camp, Smokekit stalked the inner wall. He had meant to try and find something appetizing in the fresh kill pile, but he was mostly hungry for details about where his sister had gone. His nose was tilted towards the wind in case he caught her scent on when she was close by, and it wasn't much longer before his curiosity was teased by the scent of the new deputy returning with Flickerkit.

Once he was sure of the oppertunity he quickly padded up to her. "Where have you been?" If she was out exploring the territory he wanted to hear all about it.. His dark ringed tail stood angled above his hips, intent and focused on his sister. Even if this was only a distraction from the sadness that flooded his heart.

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

｡ ₊°༺ ☀️ ༻°₊ ｡

Emberdawn still wasn’t exactly used to his duties yet, how the cats suddenly looked to him for patrols instead of him being in that position with Aspenberry. Part of him wondered if she had the same feelings… fleeting as they were… She had died for the slaughtering of the rogue… a death for a death. It was cruel, but he had trust that StarClan knew what they were doing when the battle occurred. Regardless, he couldn’t sit around with his thoughts all morning. There were patrols to be done.

“WindClan, gather for patrols!” He called out, awaiting the cats to gather. The sight of them all looking at him eagerly made his heart drop, he just hoped this feeling would pass, and if he hoped enough, it would.

“While the rogue has been killed, that shouldn’t mean we let down our guard.” He commented, giving a flick of his ruddy tinted plume to keep the warriors to attention, they all seemed to listen… fancy that. “I’d like Shadesleek and Bayflower to take off at dawn to sweep our border at the barn, mark your scent and be cautious, we want the rogues to know whose territory this is before they take a step onto the moor. You both may take Oatpaw and Heatherpaw with you” He spoke with more confidence than he felt at the moment, his bicolored eyes flicking to the other warriors.

“Breezewing, take Smallclaw and Brighteyes to hunt at sunhigh, if you catch enough prey before dusk, remark the borders we have by Trespass Point.” Part of him simply prayed that he was doing fine as the deputy of WindClan, one of the biggest of the jobs he had taken on… and if StarClan spoke in his favor, there were bigger things ahead. With a sigh he continued.

He flicked his tail, glancing at a red pointed warrior “Basilflame, take Boulderdash, and Fallheart on the dusk patrol, focus on hunting and keeping the clan fed.” he finished, his paws threatening to quiver beneath the weight of his responsibilities. “Petalsnap, you and Beewhisker will take turns with sentry duty throughout the day. Keep your eyes and ears alert for anything suspicious, while the rogue is dead, we should remain ever vigilant.”

“Mentors,” He addressed, moving his gaze to the four senior warriors of the clan, “Keep your apprentices vigilant as well.” His addition came with a flick of his ear. He had spoken with Fawnstar about what he was about to say and took in a breath through his nose. “Boldclaw, Fawnstar and I have spoken, you will be doing duties around camp and handling fortifying of the dens. Heatherpaw,” he addressed the lilac caramel tortoiseshell directly “To ensure no other apprentices are slacking, you will watch over them, Boldclaw is sharing the duties, not taking over them.”

After he made sure he had been heard, he gave a nod to his clanmate, hoping he had done enough. “Dismissed.”

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

━✺━🌿━✺━

The light of sunhigh fell peacefully onto the two cats in the main clearing, just below the talking cliff. Basilflame and her apprentice Cedarpaw, she had remembered doing this with Petalsnap in the past, she had taken to battle training well, however, Cedarpaw was her current apprentice, not her former one. She had made sure to tell Cedarpaw prior that they would be focusing on some battle moves today and would do a small spar within the safety of the camp.

"Right, Cedarpaw." Basilflame spoke after getting into a position opposite from her apprentice. "We’ll be learning some new battle moves and blocks today and honing them so you remember them today. We’ve already studied the basics, so we can demonstrate these today as well so you remember them." The red pointed she-cat explained, steadying her paws to a battle ready stance that she had taught Cedarpaw sometime in the moon prior so she was sure that Cedarpaw should be confident enough to learn something new instead of the usual practice.

With a breath, Basilflame’s muscles relaxed, flexing her claws against the ground for a moment before tucking them back into their sheaths. "We’ll start with blocks. You will learn all of them, but I’d like to start off with the upwards paw block and downwards paw block. What do you think they would look like, Cedarpaw?"

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.

‹‹‹‹ ››››

The night was still as a few clouds floated in the moonless sky. Lion’s Glory was fading, ready to give over its warm grasp into the peak of Green-leaf’s heat. The grass still held some damp from the rain that had wet the world earlier in the day.

The Apprentice’s Den, tucked between the Warriors and Elders dens, was dry. The clinging moisture hadn’t crept inside during the light rain of the morning. Tucked amongst the moss, dried grasses, and downy feathers two of the warm forms in the den rested…

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

━✺━🌿━✺━

It was funny almost, how the clans could be in the middle of turmoil from a murderous rogue, and yet, the sun still shone bright and beautiful during the day like nothing was wrong. However, on this fine morning, Basilflame had earlier offered to share prey with Sunbear, even though her mother had refused, it didn't deter her mood. The day was too nice to be hindered by gloom.

So, without much theatrics, she made her way to the pile of fresh kill and pulled out a small rabbit, it was still big, yes, but for a rabbit that usually roamed the moor, it seemed a little smaller than average. Regardless, it didn't sway her from eating it. "Prey is a blessing, no matter how small." She whispered to herself, before clasping her jaws around the rabbit's scruff and pulling it over to a nice and sunny patch in the camp.

As she began defluffing the rabbit, she thought of the kits in the nursery, they were getting so big, she was sure they would soon move onto apprenticeship in the next couple of moons, it made her wonder who exactly their mentors would be. There were plenty of good warriors, maybe Fawnstar would give Petalsnap an apprentice, oh how honored Basilflame would be.

Lost in her thoughts, she had almost forgotten about her rabbit until her paw met the succulent flesh and she let out a soft purr. Now, the only thing that would make this feast better was someone to share it with.

Those who follow blindly will never learn to see the truth. ~Breezewing
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧

The wind rolled clean and steady across the moor, slipping through the hollow of WindClan’s camp and brushing Breezewing’s fur the wrong way as he stood near the rise that led up toward the Talking Cliff. It was a good place to train, open ground, soft dust underpaw, and enough space for a mistake without someone tumbling straight into the elders’ den.

He flicked an ear back toward the apprentice padding up behind him, not bothering to turn fully at first.

“About time,” Breezewing muttered, though he wasn’t truly late, just a habit of his to keep Berrypaw on edge. He turned then, pale eyes narrowing slightly as he sized the younger cat up from nose to tail. “We’re keeping it simple today. Light sparring. I want to see your footing, not you throwing yourself around like a startled rabbit. I also want to see how you defend yourself.”

His tail lashed once, then stilled as he stepped back and gestured with his chin to the patch of worn dirt between them.

“Show me your stance.”

The wind tugged at his fur again, carrying the faint scent of heather and sun-warmed grass. Breezewing lowered his body a fraction, not yet attacking, just watching, waiting, judging every shift of Berrypaw’s paws.