Closed Thread When Flowers Bloom Into Berries [1LN]

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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Having already woken, Aspenberry was gently grooming herself in her nest, refusing to get up as rain pelted down outside. It wasn't overly heavy, but unpleasant nonetheless. Weather like this was hard for the kits, and all Aspenberry could do was pray to StarClan they all made it through. As she turned her head to give her shoulder a few brisk licks, her pale eyes caught Bayflower's, a smile forming on her face as it seemed as though they were both thinking the same thing.

It was just too cold!

Just yesterday Aspenberry had assigned herself to the dusk patrol, and right now was so relieved she had. She felt a little guilting that she was hiding out in the den while her clanmates patrolled, but she told herself she would go out hunting before dusk to make up for it. 'Wishing you had fur like Beewhisker?' she called out to Bayflower, the black feline almost looked like they were shivering. She knew they were missing Beewhisker's company, and while there wasn't much she could do, sometimes it was the little things that counted. Getting up from the warm bundle she had balled herself into, Aspenberry creeped over to Bayflower, hoping to not wake any of the other sleeping bodies around. Once she reached Bayflower, she plopped herself down into their nest, her white fur a bright contrast against the darkness of Bayflower's. 

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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'Mmm melting doesn't sound very nice, but I do tend to prefer the hot over the cold, so I guess I agree' she laughed before giving Bayflower's ear a few brisk licks in return for their flattening of her messy head fur. 

'Not really, if it turns a little nicer I'll be taking Fallpaw out to the moors, but if not I'll likely just do some camp duties with him. Just as important as hunting and fighting, but not exactly as fun sometimes.' She smiled as Bayflower congratulated her on her apprentice. In all honestly she wasn't overly surprised when Fawnstar approached her, asking if she would be interested in mentoring, but the ceremony still held a special place in her heart anyway. 'I.. think we all saw it coming, but thanks anyway' she purred, giving the black feline a gentle headbutt. 'Even without me I think Fallpaw will turn out great. He isn't the most social, but he is doing well, in my eyes at least. Are you.. still thinking about mentoring one of Brightmaple's kits?' she joked, hoping she wouldn't offend her friend with her gentle teasing. Bayflower would make an excellent mentor, and if the decision was up to her, they would definitely be one of her first choices. 

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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'Yeah, I don't mind them either, though I still much prefer being out and about. Unless I am terribly sick there won't be a single day I won't leave camp. Gotta stretch my legs, plus I prefer roaming the moors anyway.' She listened as they talked about Sweethoney, noticing the fond tone in the black feline's voice. Aspenberry always loved it when apprentices had special connections with their mentors. She hoped that oneday she might reach that with Fallpaw too. 'It's a shame you didn't get to train with the rest of us. There was one point when the apprentice's den was so crowded. I can't rememeber all too well, but throughout my training, I shared dens with Cloudflare, Boldclaw, Pinestep, Beewhisker and Doveflight. You on the other paw are way too ancient!'

Aspenberry was glad to hear that Bayflower was still keen on mentoring, but she was momentarily distracted when Bayflower called her the sweetest. Aspenberry didn't deal with affection all that well. Physical affection was fine, but hearing someone compliment her with words made her heart stir. She reached out a paw and batted Bayflower's nose gently, 'I'll be an old, grumpy deputy in no time, then you won't be calling me sweet anymore!'

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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'Do you talk to Cloudflare much? You, Cloudflare and Beewhisker are my closest friends yet I don't see you talk all too often. Not that there is a problem with it, you just seem... very distant around him?' It didn't cross her mind all too much, but sometimes it could be a little concerning. She just hoped Bayflower was doing alright. 

'You are ancient compared to me, you fit right in with the elders!' she snickered, cozying up to Bayflower a little more as a cold draft snuck its way into the den. 'Grumpy and sweet do not go together, I can promise you that. At least I don't think I'll ever be as bad as the other clan's deputies though. Well, they aren't bad, but I'm clearly better' she joked before lying her head down on the edge of the nest. 

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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'That's nice to hear. I think having a well connected clan is very important. What's the point of living together if all you do is ignore everyone. Why are you jealous though? He's no different to the rest of us, yes he has had an apprentice and is Fawnstar's senior warrior, but if you were to be jealous of anyone I would have thought it might be me!' Aspenberry didn't quite understand what exactly Bayflower could be jealous of. No matter how hard she tried to think, nothing struck her mind. Aspenberry used to tackle jealousy, over small things like becoming envious of a relationship between two cats, or not understanding why she felt so lost on her own path. Bayflower just... didn't seem like the type. They always seemed so happy and cheerful around friends, forever appreciating the time they got to spend with those they love. 

'Maybe not the best...' she said with a soft, find smile. 'Think of all the kit stories, of heroic deputies that save the clan from some tragic disaster, or who sacrifice themselves for the wellbeing of their clan. I'm yet to doing anything out of the ordinary. All I do is assign patrols.' She hoped to do something worthwhile for her clan one day. Many moons ago she made the choice to stay with WindClan, and it had done nothing but give her a desirable life. Aspenberry wanted to give back, but she didn't know how. Kits were for her own desires. She didn't like the idea of them simply being an asset of the clan. They were tiny, living souls of their own, and she would have her own when the right time came, not when her clan 'needed them most'. There was no need to sacrifice herself, and no looming threat hanging over the clan's head, so she was stuck with just giving silent guidance. Really, just by being there for her friends and clanmates, Aspenberry was giving back to her clan, but she was yet to realise that, thoughts clouded with ideas, desires, ambitions and longing for many things all at once.

'I am yet to understand my place in this world, but with you by my side, I know things just might be alright'
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A different relationship with them? Aspenberry didn't really understand. She treated Cloudflare the same as everyone else, did she not? She gave her friend a curious look, but didn't press any further. She thought of Beewhisker and Bayflower, who were both very close to each other, but it seemed normal compared to anything. What exactly did they want with her? The two of them were already very close friends...

'I.. don't really understand, but like you said. I'm not going anywhere, I promise.' She looked at Bayflower, almost a little sadly. She didn't think she was the 'best' friend, but she wasn't going to start an argument. 'Thanks Bayflower. I'm going to be your friend forever, for as long as I can, and I will do everything to take care of you. A promise from me to you that will never be broken.'