[Hellion]

Amara

You're ripped at every edge but you're a masterpiece

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Hunger pained the russet colored she-cat, she wasn't sure the last time she had anything that tasted remotely decent. She wasn't proud but she had eaten like a scavenger and found it only a little feeling. The meal was tough and the smell was enough to make her gag but it was forced down her throat, her since of survival was strong. Not only had the coldness taken all sense of life out of the valley but also the pure density of snow. It seemed that the snow was determined to make her life difficult, but Amara persisted.

Her intentions for making such a journey was muddled. She claimed that she wanted to find her brother to see if he was okay and tell him the fate of their mother, a secret part of her wanted to find what her brother had. Was the clan life worth it? All her life and the moons after Zuma's departure especially, Amara had the notion that all things clan-life related was bad. However, Shatani had been wrong about so many things and Amara had some faith that her mother was wrong about this too.

A carefully placed pawstep had the she-cat feeling frosted laves. It was TreeClan territory, she finally made it. For a moment she was tempted to seek out a scent marker to make exploring the territory easier. Yet decided against it, a foreign scent would encourage cats to seek her out soon. Amara had faith that TreeClan cats wouldn't seek out to attack her right away but instead ask her questions, she only hoped that her brother's name carried as much weight as it used to many moons ago. Would any even know him as Zuma? Unsure of that fact Amara slowed her pace to a walk in order ensure she was found rather then wonder around aimlessly.

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And now you're tearing through the pages and the ink


Fawn | Leafbare 19

[Fawn]

ZEPHYRFANG

37 Moons. Tom. Warrior.

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Tak tak tak.
Powerful tawny paws crashed down onto a once-trickling rivulet from the sparkling brook. It was too small to be called a stream, and Zephyrfang didn't feel like doubling back through the snow to find its parent. Instead, he cracked the surface after a few heavy stomps, and lowered his head to lap up the freezing liquid, feeling it chill him all the way down the back of his throat.

Life in the valley was hard this leafbare, but Zephyrfang was used to such hardships. the life of a loner, even the life of a loner that was part of a family had had its fair shares of ups and downs; this particularly frigid leafbare wasn't anything different. Not to his eyes, at least. With a luxuriant stretch, the well-muscled warrior turned to face the wilderness surrounding him, looking to the naked trees for any signs of birds, and then near the roots for any unusually active mice or whatever there was to find.

As expected, nothing.

But there would probably be a crow or a raven trying to test their luck on the ground shortly enough, and Zephyrfang was content to bide his time. Couldn't say he minded the solitude, either. As much as he loved Silentsong, the beautiful tortoiseshell who had his heart, so too did he enjoy a bit of quiet time to himself simply to regain his center. Even after all this time, Zephyrfang still felt a little distanced from his Clanmates; it felt good to get away from them, even if just for a bit.

Just about to hunker down and wait for a scavenger bird, a peculiar scent rode the wind just then, and Zephyrfang stopped, frozen where he stood as distant memories came floating back as if recovered from a dream. He knew that scent. At once, milk-scented memories filled his mind, and his golden eyes swept to and fro, searching for the source of this all-too-familiar smell.

"Amara?" He called into the forest, shattering the wintry silence without hesitation. "Amara!" Is she close by? Was it really her? His sister, after all these moons, come drifting into TreeClan territory?

Eagerly, Zephyrfang waited for an answering call. If she didn't at least call, then he expected to see Amara's gingery-red features appearing before him at any moment.
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Word Count: 381 Words
Tags: Hellion

[Hellion]

Amara

You're ripped at every edge but you're a masterpiece

---

How far have I wandered?

Her paws continued to touch unfamiliar ground. The odd clumps of snow and half frozen ice furthered her sense of numbness. She didn't know the TreeClan territory as well as she thought. Her intentions were to find Zuma, but it seemed that TreeClan wasn't straight forward with the placement of their camp.

It wasn't until the wind changed that she realized something. Come from further into the forest was that old scent, a faint memory.

Extending her stride Amara picked up pace to head toward it until the sound of her name caught in her ear. He had to be Zuma! There was no mistaking her brother's voice even if moons had changed them both, he'd always be her brother.

Slowing to a stop she waited to hear it again and better pin-point the location of his voice. Sure of his location she sprinted off toward him and paused with a good fox length away. It was like seeing a stranger.

Zuma had grown so much and like her he filled out well. There was a different scent that clung to his pelt but also a different presences. He didn't look like the Chosen One, he looked like a Clanner. Part of her wanted to rush forward to re-learn his scent and find comfort in him but she remained where she was. There was so much between them, things that likely he'd never wanted to know. Unable to close the distance Amara continued to stand and look at him.

"I've missed you Zuma," As all she managed to say. There was so much more said within her eyes.

---

And now you're tearing through the pages and the ink


Fawn | LEAFBARE 19

[Fawn]

ZEPHYRFANG

37 Moons. Tom. Warrior.

---

If he hadn't known better, that familiar ruddy pelt would have reminded him of his mother—something he didn't want to think about. If he could help it. Zuma was a name he hadn't heard in moons, and it made him grin where he stood, the tabby tom bracing himself against the winds of nostalgia blowing right against him.

"It's been a while," he mewed back. He'd missed her too. It had been one of those unspoken things; Silentsong had never questioned him of his family, and he'd never felt the urge to speak of such things. What did it matter, when he always kept his eyes on the future? On a future with her.

But that did not mean he had no feelings on the past, or the cats he'd left there.

Throwing aside caution to the wind as well as his duties as a Clan cat to chase her off, Zephyrfang walked over to Amara, approaching with a curious glint. She was as skinny as the rest of them, if not more so; the thick fur covering the feline's frame couldn't fully hide her loner status. She smelled strange, too.

The tawny warrior cocked his head. Did she blame him for leaving without much of a goodbye? Admittedly, he'd been head-over-paws in love, and hadn't been thinking of much beyond that. Not that he was the kinda cat to make excuses.

"Were you looking for me?" Asked Zephyrfang. That would be crazy, right? Amara had no reason to seek him out—unless it was to tell him something important. Or, strangely, ask him to return to his loner lifestyle.

He wouldn't. He didn't want to, and he was willing to patiently explain that to his sister, maybe even bring Silentsong out to meet her, and he was certain his littermate would understand.
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Word Count: 300 Words
Tags: Hellion

[Hellion]

Amara

You're ripped at every edge but you're a masterpiece

---

She caught the grin and held on to that sign of familiarity. He hadn't forgotten her and that was enough to bring a well deserved smile. Carefully Amara closed the distances between them but still left some room. Amara wasn't a total fool, she knew that being in Clan territory was risky regardless of their connection.

"Despite the moons you seen fairly well, all things considered,"She replied flicking her tail to gesture at his thin frame. She noted the look of hunger that clung to his pelt, her own was weighed down. Leafbare had been difficult and all alone had left Amara struggling more than her brother. She quickly reminded herself that it wasn't the point to see who had it worse, everyone was suffering.

Zuma moved in closer to her and her reaction was to step back, but she held firm to her place. Zuma wasn't a threat, he was family, yet history was difficult to forget. She studied him once he was closer, anger flashed in her eyes but she did her best to hide it away. She felt guilty for her feelings. It wasn't Zuma's fault he got out when he did, she could have done the same if she was like him, if only.

"I am looking for you, I have some news," She paused and let her eyes fall to the ground, her claws kneading the snow and ice. Would it even matter if she told him? It wouldn't be like he'd join her again, he hadn't returned so Clan life must suit him well.

"Mother died and all most of her followers have disbanded. She is no longer a threat to me, I mean us," She told him with a sense of conviction. Amara had gotten the blunt of their mother's anger and while he might have saw it he wasn't able to stop it, not that she blamed him.

"I figured you should know," Amara didn't have anything else to other brother and while she wanted to catch up with him she knew it would be impossible considering their current situation.

"Are you happy here,?" That question sprang into her mind quite suddenly and was blurted out. The desire to know that he was happy tugged at her heart steadily.

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And now you're tearing through the pages and the ink


Fawn | LEAFBARE 19

[Fawn]

ZEPHYRFANG

37 Moons. Tom. Warrior.

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"Mother died and all most of her followers have disbanded. She is no longer a threat to me, I mean us."

A weight Zephyrfang hadn't even known he was carrying somehow lifted from his shoulders, and it was with a grim smile of satisfaction that he accepted these words. So she finally left us in peace. Zephyrfang didn't think much of StarClan—death just wasn't something he considered on a day to day basis, not even when he was laying awake at night with Silentsong, peaceful beside the cat he adored so wholeheartedly—but Zephyrfang took reassurance in the knowledge that Shatani probably wouldn't end up there.

Zephyrfang saw that flash of anger in her eyes earlier. He recognized that look, and he accepted it for what it was. Family had not been such a positive word for him, so many moons back, but that didn't give him the right to turn his back on his sister. Before he could say anything kind or reassuring or even just 'thanks for letting me know', Amara asked the question he'd been hoping she would.

The tawny tom grinned, showing all his teeth with a mischievous glint, fondness returning to his voice as he responded.
"There's so many rules in this Clan, like you wouldn't believe. We all sleep in this fallen log, and warriors like me get woken up at dawn to go out on patrol. It's a pain in my tail, really," Zephyrfang's eyes glittered, quite pleased with his new life. "But this is the happiest I've ever been. I wouldn't trade it for all the prey in the forest. I have this kind, beautiful mate—Silentsong—and they call me Zephyrfang now."

Any complaints he had were goodnatured, and were nowhere near enough to make him turn his back on his Clan. It wasn't just Silentsong's now. It was his, it was where they would settle down and raise a family one day. Hopefully soon, said an eager voice at the back of Zephyrfang's mind. Before he could get too carried away with exciting visions of the future, Zephyrfang flicked his tail, sitting in front of Amara to watch her with interest.
"What about you? Have you found a Clan of your own?" She didn't smell like it, but Zephyrfang doubted these five Clans were the only ones in the whole world.

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Word Count: 392 Words
Tags: Hellion

[Hellion]

Amara

You're ripped at every edge but you're a masterpiece

---

Her shoulders flexed, the tension carrying the news was gone. However the scars from her mother's claws would likely remain forever. For a singular moment she thought of their shared older brother. He left not long after Zuma or likely killed by their mother but never mourned. Amara had searched for him, but all traces of their kin disappeared.

The look in his eyes reminded her of who he was back before he left. Her earlier life hadn't been all bad, Zuma made easier when he could. The knowledge of Clan life didn't strike her as odd. The rules the Clans had were likely to be easier than her mother's laws. The more he talked about dawn patrols the more curious she became. Amara had basic knowledge that the Clans all carved out their own territories and going on patrol was likely to ensure those borders were maintained. What drew her most was the mention that most cats shared a space. True warmth was like a distant memory for Amara. She had only recently been able to line her temporary den with leaves and moss but nothing held the warmth of kept the chill out.

"I think sleeping in a warm fallen logs sounds better than a poorly crafted den in the roots of a tree," She replied but felt that her words might be considered rude and that wasn't her intention.

I have this kind, beautiful mate-Silentsong-

Amara almost stopped listening. Her brother had found someone, that is why he left. Since his departure it was suspected that was the reason, but it wasn't confirmed. She was a little jealousy only because it meant that he had found love, someone to call his own and curl up next to.

"Zephyrfang? So I should call you that from now on? She teased with her own attempt at a playful flick of her tail. Despite the freedom of knowing their shared demon was gone, Amara was still learning to have fun.

"I'm glad you found someone. She seems nice, especially if was able to tame you," She added with a wink. Zuma wasn't much of a flirt even before he seemed to always willing to wander without a reason.

His question was well timed, but it still caught her off guard. Did he want the truth? She doubted that and instead figured she'd answer with a safer less violent explanation of her past few moons.

"I'm still Amara, no Clan for me. I've been mostly roaming this valley and making sure to avoid the Clans for the most part. I don't have a home but I've been staying in some old tree roots near those rocks that look like claws. I've been worse so I can't complain," She finished with a slow tick of her tail. Feeling oddly exposed to him, would he see the truth in her eyes? Siblings had that connection and she'd prayed to what ever answered prayers for him not to notice, not yet at least.
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And now you're tearing through the pages and the ink


Fawn | ---