[Deleted]

standing here it's all so clear
i'm where i'm meant to be

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Rippedear returned from his mid-day meal feeling like a border patrol to the Sun Rocks. He wasn't quite sure why; to be honest, it was probably because he felt any LightningClan border needed sentries posted on it daily. Glancing around camp for some unwitting victims for this patrol, he spotted two apprentices outside their den. Before collecting them, however, he approached the warrior's den, searching for another warrior to take along with him.

Before he could enter the refuge of the den, however, the senior warrior noticed a she-cat just outside the den.

"Blacksmoke," he greeted warmly. "Care to join me on a border patrol? I was going to take some apprentices and go out to the Sun Rocks. If you care to join us, meet me by the camp exit." With a friendly twitch of whiskers, he left her to make her own decision before padding over to the apprentices.

Ospreypaw and Skunkpaw, he realized as he got closer. Siblings, if he was thinking correctly. He greeted them just as warmly as he had Blacksmoke, but this time his request was more of an order.

"Ospreypaw, Skunkpaw, I'd like you two to join me for a border patrol. We'll be going to the LightningClan border at the Sun Rocks. Follow me." He led the pair to the exit of the camp, stalling a moment for Blacksmoke. He really hoped she would come; Rippedear didn't mind apprentices, but two of them might be too much for the aging warrior to handle.

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rippedear «» senior warrior «» stoneclan
Fate Admin Phoenix Fawn «» tagged
225 «» word count
your tagged names almost create a perfect fade xD «» notes
i see the light «» lyrics

[Fate Admin]

Blacksmoke was enjoying midday in her own way, observing the Clan. She crouched in the shadows outside the warriors’ den, watching the comings and goings with eyes like burning embers against her smoky black fur. Her gaze fell briefly on her own apprentice across the camp before settling on the senior heading her way. Rippedear paused before her and her ears flicked to attention as he posed his request. He seemed to leave her to think about it, but she was already rising, treating herself to a luxurious stretch.

Her gaze followed the senior warrior’s progress towards Ospreypaw and his sister as she gave herself a quick grooming, flattening a few tufts of hair that had come out of place before joining the three at the camp entrance where they waited for her. She wasn’t in the business of denying her Clanmates’ requests when she had nothing better to do, nor was she ever entirely against a visit to the Sun Stones. LightningClan fought often enough with StoneClan over the stones that Blacksmoke wanted to ensure their presence there was always known to the rival Clan. Especially after the foxhearts had chased them into the mountains. As she approached the three she nodded to Ospreypaw by way of greeting before turning to Rippedear, “Ready when you are.”

[Fawn]

It was not often that the black and white she-cat got the opportunity to speak to her brother, so she had actually made use of the early morning to converse with him lightly. He hardly looked like much of a kitten anymore, and Skunkpaw couldn't help but be aware of her own youth and size by comparison. Of course, toms were always expected to be larger than she-cats, but for her, it felt as if she hadn't seen him in a very long time, and now that they had become reacquainted, she had to get reacquainted with a new cat entirely.

At the appearance of Rippedear, Skunkpaw sat up, surprised to see the older warrior request for them for the border patrol - Ospreypaw made sense, he had proven himself capable - but her? She could hunt, she supposed, Fallenleaf had done everything she could to ensure she was at least semi-decent in all areas, but it still felt strange to be called upon.

Perhaps this was her first taste of warriorhood?

"Oh I should probably wait for... Fallenleaf..." The apprentice trailed off, realizing that if the senior warrior had assigned her to a patrol (which might've been Wolfclaw's doing), that she had no choice but to oblige. Skunkpaw stretched out her front limbs, claws unsheathing, toes spreading until she felt satisfied, trying to build up some sort of enthusiasm for this sort of thing. Border patrols were not particularly eventful, but she supposed she saw the importance of it now.

StoneClan had been hit so hard by the greencough, if there was ever a time in which the other Clans could attack and obliterate them, now would be it. With this grim thought in her head, Skunkpaw walked after Rippedear and alongside her brother, casting him a sidelong glance, wondering if he was thinking the same thing.

Probably not. We're siblings but not twins, I can't expect him to finish my sentences or something. He's probably thinking about more important stuff anyway.

Like the fact that he was probably going to become a warrior soon. Maybe. Most likely. She really didn't know the exact day or season, just that he was bound to be one soon.
"Let's get this over with," murmured Skunkpaw under her breath, her pessimism and generally sardonic attitude had been ingrained in her since the battle that had driven out StoneClan. While this may not've seemed like a major, life-altering event with a lasting impact to some, it had dominated a huge chunk of her young life.

Couldn't blame her, really.

Strife was as much a sibling of hers as Ospreypaw and Cricketleap.

[Phoenix]

BEATEN AND BROKEN AND CHASED FROM THE LAND

Little deterred even the deepest, darkest recesses of his mind from his secret motive like his family. He valued the company of Skunkpaw in particular, as he believed that she came the closest to understanding the irreparable damage that LightningClan and RainClan had dealt on their lives when they decided to jointly attack StoneClan. But even then, she did not know the full extent of the impact that battle had had on his life; he had told no one of the way his claws thirsted for the blood of two of their neighbor’s most dangerous toms – Rookfrost and Whiteshade, according to the accounts of his clanmates. They were the reason he trained as hard as he did, cocky and outgoing but devoted to his lessons all the same. And yet, for the amount of time he devoted to quietly plotting his revenge, he would always set aside his work in favor of a conversation with his sister.

The combination of their duties and training had made it very hard for the two of them to find time to spend together, so he snatched at the bits and pieces of what he could catch. But the tiny snippets he caught never seemed to last long, and this one was no exception. As Rippedear drew close, he rose to his paws and easily summoned the pleasant smile that lit up his face. “Of course,” He returned agreeably, pausing to fall into step with Skunkpaw before following the senior warrior toward the exit. An ear flicked as he caught the tail end of her muttered words. Quietly and with a subtlety unexpected of a feline as purposely outgoing as him, he nudged her lightly with his shoulder. The rest of the clan might frown upon her perpetual pessimism, but he could understand where such a behavior started in a way that no one else could – much like the same way she might understand his need for revenge, if he dared share his darkest secret with her.

Yellow eyes flicked to the side as his mentor joined them, and he returned the silent greeting to her. Their relationship might have been more professional than some other apprentice-mentor pairings, but the distance suited him fine. He did not want to make enemies of his clan mates, but he also did not need someone trying to become a replacement parent. He had grown up with the scars of watching his real parents’ deaths, and he had dealt with them and every problem that had been thrown at him alone; on the brink of warriorhood, he did not need someone trying to protect his nonexistent innocence from the violence of the world. It was too late for that.

“Do you think the other clans had a greencough outbreak, too?” Ospreypaw mused to no one in particular. A border patrol was routine, he knew, but it never hurt to be aware of the status of the neighboring clans. He could see how weakened StoneClan had become from their epidemic, and if he were in LightningClan or RainClan and wanted revenge, he would pick now to attack. StoneClan, while not necessarily becoming lazy, had not expected the joint force of StormClan before, and even though they would not be as surprised again, the young tom had lost all faith in their neighbors integrity. In his mind, they were the kind of cats who would attack those barely back on their feet.

Ospreypaw | StoneClan | Apprentice | Night of the Hunter - 30 Seconds to Mars

PLEASURE TO MEET YOU BUT BETTER TO BLEED

[BlooRey DVD]

[smear:f3e471]Fallenleaf
[/smear:f8c56a]

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She'd spent most of the morning lying in the midst of the warrior's den, doing various little stretches with her shoulder. A few days back, she'd been running a bit behind on her schedule and had missed doing her stretches. Stars above, that had been a long day of never ending stiffness, so much so that she had had to retire early, simply due to the pain that was bunching up in her shoulder. She'd not been sent away, too full of pride and determination to let that happen. Instead, she'd dismissed herself, weaving some story about a mouse was not sitting well or something along those lines.

Whether or not anyone had actually believed her or not was another story entirely, one that she hadn't stuck around to catch the ending for. She'd realized then just how important her stretching was. It may not magically cure her and return her full movement from before the accident, but it at least allowed her to move and perform her regular duties like hunting and patrolling without actual pain. And she would take every little bit that she could. She was learning to differentiate between pain and just the usual stiff ache that would more than likely forever linger in her shoulder. Each day it became a little easier.

The only thing she hadn't really tried much of so far was fighting. Unsure of how that endeavour would end, she'd admittedly been putting it off, hoping that no one would notice. Rather foolishly, she figured that she still knew how to fight. It was ingrained in her bones. Had been for moons now. When the time came, she would know what to do. But will I be able to act, to perform everything that I know I should do? The thought plagued the back of her mind each and every day.

One pale ear pivoted, momentarily distracted from her thoughts by a voice outside the den. Someone was talking about a patrol. Figuring that a patrol might just do her some good, clear her mind and stretch her stiff muscles further, the senior warrior shifted, pulling herself to her paws with a slight groaning sound. Really, it was just a rush of air that caught her a little off guard. That was all. Once on her paws, she gave herself a quick shake, as though that might momentarily rid her of the ache in her shoulder.

The first few steps were always the most difficult. It didn't help that she had to dodge various tails from cats who had been on the dawn patrol and were catching up on the sleep that they had missed that morning. By some miracle, she managed to make it out into the clear, pale eyes adjusting to the change in lighting. She looked around, searching for Rippedear. She was fairly certain that it had been his voice that she had heard earlier. And it would seem that her suspicions were correct. Her gaze fell upon the tom, standing beside another warrior and two apprentices.

It didn't take her long to realize that one of the apprentices with Rippedear was none other than Skunkpaw, her own apprentice. With a slightl smile she picked up her pace a little. Her shoulder had loosened a little bit and if you hadn't know she'd been injured, you might have just chalked down her slightly stiff, brisk walk to her age. It wasn't perfect. It was likely that she would never walk without at least a slight limp again. But it was better than it was on days where the cold creeped in, making things a thousand times more difficult.

As she approached the little group, she called out, her voice strong, a little playful. It was obvious that she was teasing as she came to a stop beside Skunkpaw. "Rippedear, are you stealing my apprentice away without my permission? I know that I've become a bit of a burden these days, but surely you aren't questioning my ability to teach, hm? Surely you'll at least let me tag along?" Her tail tip twitched in a friendly manner and there was a smile on her face. If that didn't prove it, then surely the lighthearted tone to her voice was be enough to relax anyone who thought that she might seriously be insulted.

[Deleted]

standing here it's all so clear
i'm where i'm meant to be

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Nodding happily as the four members of his patrol gathered by him, Rippedear turned to exit the den when a warm voice filled his ears.

"Rippedear, are you stealing my apprentice away without my permission?"

He waited to let her finish her accusations, then turned to face Fallenleaf. She looked better, he noticed. A little less stiff, and standing proudly on even ground. She didn't seem to be favoring her good side. The warm weather new-leaf brought with it must have helped -- after all, it worked wonders on his own aching joints. While not an elder in age by any means, too many border disputes and little spats had left Rippedear feeling older and older after every injury he sustained, no matter how small it felt.

"Fallenleaf," he greeted, "You are more than welcome to join us. I didn't see you when I was creating the patrol, but Skunkpaw and Ospreypaw seemed itching to do something, so I thought I could take them along for the ride." Fixing her with a warm look, he added, "And I would never question your ability to do anything." You know that.

Looking around at the four other cats with him, Rippedear felt decidedly out of place without an apprentice by his side, but he set off for the Sun Rocks, knowing the others would follow. Once outside the den, he stepped back in stride to walk beside Fallenleaf. "How are you feeling?" he asked quietly. He worried about her a lot, but he also knew that she hated to be burden -- especially now. So he kept his worrying confined to silent observation and the occasional conversation with Ivypaw. Fallenleaf is a warrior, he told himself, over and over. She can look after herself. And no one knows how she's feeling better than herself. Even with those thoughts dancing around his mind, the senior warrior couldn't stop trying to look after her. Watching her walk carefully out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly realized that he had completely ignored Ospreypaw's question.

"And, Ospreypaw, to answer your question about the greencough, I'm sure the other Clans felt the touch of sickness, too." He bowed his head in remembrance of those who passed. "In fact, we missed two Gatherings because of it. Many cats joined our ancestors this past leaf-bare." He sighed. Too many cats joined our ancestors.

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rippedear «» senior warrior «» stoneclan
border patrol «» tagged
403 «» word count
i hate sia's blasted filter! «» notes
i see the light «» lyrics

[Fate Admin]

Conversation with Clanmates was not something Blacksmoke often engaged in unless strictly necessary or something particularly interesting was being spoken about. Now was not one of those occasions. She followed behind Rippedear as he led the way out of camp and actually stepped in front of him as he dropped back to speak with Fallenleaf. The arrival of the other she-cat had merited only a brief nod of acknowledgement from Blacksmoke as she waited for the patrol to get underway. She had cast an fiery orange glance backward as they left camp, wondering briefly if any other cat would try to join them. Five cats was quite the patrol, though not an unwarranted show of strength after the whole Clan had been chased from their home only a brief few seasons ago.

She fell into the lead of the patrol to allow Rippedear and Fallenleaf their easy conversation and glanced briefly back at Ospreypaw and his sister. The two had been here long enough now after their upbringing in the mountains that they surely knew the territory well by now. She turned her gaze upwards, watching for hawks or eagles, a habit that had been a necessity in the mountains and one that she wasn’t eager to leave behind. While the birds of prey didn’t post as much of a threat in the valley as they had in the mountains, they were still known to attempt to carry cats off on occasion, especially when they were alone. Not to mention the fact that they could turn the tables on them and turn the giant birds into prey themselves, if they were prepared for it. A patrol of five could surely take one down, easier now that Maverick and his cats had trained them how to do it properly. The skies were clear, however, presenting no such opportunity.

[Fawn]

"Hello Fallenleaf, how are you feel--" Her greeting (awkward as it was) became lost as the adults started talking, Skunkpaw watching them interact for a few moments before it became apparent that Fallenleaf likely hadn't heard her.

Skunkpaw's tail twitched, willing herself to not get so annoyed over that; she chose instead to focus on Ospreypaw's question. If the other Clans had been hit with greencough too - which they would, right? -- She wasn't the sort of cat who deliberately wished ill of others, but StoneClan would admittedly be safer if most of the Clans had been sick too, not just her own.

Otherwise they might've been chased out again, a fear that hadn't unclasped it's talons from her heart since her kithood days. Skunkpaw had seen with her own eyes the general state of deterioration in the cats around her; it frightened young Skunkpaw to the core. If she was being honest with herself, it somehow made becoming a warrior that much more frightening - though it wasn't as if the apprentices had been safe from the sickness either.

Yet...

Whatever part of the black & white she-cat that still considered having an 'innocence of youth', was not so eager to let go of it. It was a rare thing, in this Clan. Bad things seemed to happen all the time...

Or maybe that was her pessimistic streak talking.