[Fawn]

27 Moons. She-Cat. NightClan.

No I won't apologize for the fire in my eyes

---

Greenleaf was easily her least favorite season. Yes, the prey was plentiful. Yes, it was a break from the icy grip of leafbare and the bitter crispness of leaf-fall, but the sun was brutal to a feline with black fur. Hollystorm's coat was semi-long, and had it been any longer, she feared collapsing from heat exhaustion just from a mandatory sunhigh border patrol Foxfern had sent her on.

Hollystorm had done it without complaint, but upon return had immediately gone to the ambush pond to cool off. Night couldn't come soon enough.

When it finally did, Hollystorm was rejuvenated. It was difficult, living so close to Sunpulse - hearing the flatness of his mew, the lack of rhythm in his words - and being unable to greet him like she used to. But it was necessary. Hollystorm had buckled down on Coalpaw's training; her apprentice may have hated her passionately, but no longer could Starlingcry look upon her with disapproval.

She didn't just want to finish Coalpaw's training; she wanted to give him the advantage. Turn these three extra moons into a boon, not a burden. Hollystorm had explained as much to Coalpaw, and that was why tonight, they were approaching their final task. He was an excellent hunter, and hunting was her own area of expertise. He had reached a proficient level in fighting (she had enough scratches and bruises from him to prove it), but his real talents lied in catching prey.

Now it was time to reach the next (and last) level. Catching a predator. Owls were difficult, and could be deadly to a small cat caught in the cruel talons the bird was armed with. But Coalpaw was a full grown cat now, and Hollystorm was no push-over herself. Together, they hid in the ferns, watching a pool of moonlight just ahead where Hollystorm had laid a freshly slain mouse to act as bait.

Owls did not frighten her. Hollystorm didn't like unnecessary risks, but even she had to admit that this was an exciting way to spend the night. The heat of the day was no longer so stifling, and Hollystorm's claws itched to sink into something bigger than a rodent. A shadow fell across the mouse.

Now.

Hollystorm flicked Coalpaw's shoulder with her tail. Go! It was his kill. She would be there to help him take it down, but the glory—this time—was his. It was... her way of testing him. And a small way of apology.

---

Let me show you my true colors
It ain't your rainbow

Word Count: 417 Words
Tags: Hellion

[Hellion]

Coalpaw! NightClan Apprentice Fifteen Moons TAG Fawn WORDS 418 NOTES rough, I'm sorry

Coalpaw had grown well in the past three moons. Recovering from the loss of his grandmother and father in one season, the tom was stronger than ever. Now reaching his full height, Coalpaw looked almost princely. His mother's pride in him was evident in the way she always commented on how strong he had become. It seemed that the black she-cat considered Coalpaw her legacy, but the gray and black tom struggled with the title. It wasn't that he doubted his abilities, in fact, Coalpaw had improved greatly. In truth, the tom wanted to hold a grudge against his mentor for the rest of his life. To him, it hadn't been fair that she hadn't taken it as seriously as he had. However, Coalpaw had to concede. While Coalpaw seemed to be wise-beyond his years and had an uncanny stare like his father, Coalpaw couldn't fault Hollystorm anymore. She had made a change upon his untimely loss to a rival apprentice, likely because her father had been the other cat's mentor. In hindsight, losing had allowed for a much-needed change. Yet, with all the changes and his training coming to an end Coalpaw felt unsure of himself. Was he even ready? Similar thoughts clouded his mind as he and Hollystorm took up hiding in the ferns. She had explained the plan. They were going to hunt an owl. A trick that his mother hadn't cared to master. Something that if he did it right, would mean he was a hunter worthy to be apart of NightClan. Careful not to tense his muscle too much, Coalpaw didn't focus his attention on the mouse. Instead, he shifted his eyes upward to watch for movement. An owl was a silent killer, but the movement was still noticeable. Feeling the flick of Hollystorm's tail, Coalpaw replied with a flick of his ear before launching forward. Jumping high with powerful legs, Coalpaw landed on the back of the owl with a thump. The avian hunter gave a few noises of protest, flapping its wings in anger but Coalpaw dug deep. First, his claws then his teeth to the nap of the owl's neck. With a sharp bite, the creature was dead. Turning to meet his mentor's gaze, Coalpaw held the dead predator in his jaw, almost as if it was a trophy and in a way it was.

MADE BY VEL OF GS, WW + ADOX 2.0

[Fawn]

27 Moons. She-Cat. NightClan.

No I won't apologize for the fire in my eyes

---

Hollystorm hadn't expected such a skilled kill from Coalpaw. Prepared to intervene, the black warrioress was left without any need to do so, and she forced herself to get over her surprise. A low purr resonated in the air between them. Her compliments were never given carelessly; she only spoke positively of others if she meant it.
"Well done. You're ready to become a warrior now, Coalpaw. Now the entire Clan will be able to see that for themselves."

Hardly the touchy-feelly type, not even Hollystorm could ignore the symbolism of the moment. Though she hadn't made much effort to clear the air beyond a "I'm going to refocus on your training, and make sure you become a warrior on time" at the start of their more vigorous training exercises, the opportunity to say a few words was presenting itself.

"It's been no stroll through the wildflowers," snorted Hollystorm, meeting her apprentice's strong golden gaze in the deep, saturated shadows of the trees. "But you and I have become stronger cats in the end. That is all that matters." Self-improvement. Independence. Personal gain. Because every personal gain by a strong warrior would, in turn, make NightClan stronger.

Hollystorm believed in unity - but that didn't mean she had to share tongues with every Clanmate or greet them all by name each night to feel a sense of community. The pride she had in NightClan was reflected in the majority of cats around them, and that was enough to encourage a sense of belonging. She and Coalpaw would never be close, but he was mature enough now to realize how little that mattered.

Their relationship would never be a prime example of mentor and pupil, but there was no use getting upset over it.

---

Let me show you my true colors
It ain't your rainbow

Word Count: 292 Words
Tags: Hellion