[Fawn]

Leaf-fall 17 The breeze moves heavy clouds across the sky casting vast traveling shadows underneath them.

Baby I need light, I need fire

42 Moons Warrior NightClan

It seemed Hollystorm was cursed to never see one of her apprentices become a warrior on time. Coalmask had been made a warrior later than he should have been, a fact of which Hollystorm suspected he still blamed her for. Ghostpaw, however, had measured up well; even Blackwolf had acknowledged his grandson's skill with a stiff nod of approval on their last hunting trip. Ghostpaw should have been a warrior by now.

Crowpaw as well.

It was worth nothing that this delay in ceremonies wasn't their mentors' faults. Rather, the chaos of the Greenleaf gathering had thrown NightClan into an agitated, paranoid state. First they had to worry about TreeClan, now foxes? More then that, Hollystorm and Ghostpaw had been part of the NightClan group that limped home, flanking their injured leader until she could make her way into the medicine cats' cave.

Hollystorm watched the red-coated leader, the irony of her name not lost on Hollystorm, as she left the leader's den. Hollystorm approached, remembering to dip her head politely to the cat she had watched become deputy, leader, and then choose a deputy of her own. Flashes of Pinestar's rise and fall were heavy on Hollystorm's thoughts; Foxstar... did not look well.

"Can we talk? It's about Ghostpaw and Crowpaw."

Foxstar's eyes looked unfocused for just a heartbeat, and then they cleared. "Yes?"

"They're fifteen moons now, and ready for their ceremonies. I'm confident Thornscar will back me up." Hollystorm held her leader's gaze. It was irritating to think that Darkstorm, even with a difficult apprentice such as Graywolf, had managed to help her achieve warrior status before the rest of Graywolf's siblings.

Foxstar nodded, at once understanding why Hollystorm had approached.
"We'll hold the ceremony tonight."

Finally. Hollystorm only thanked Foxstar, keeping her thoughts to herself as she cut a path straight to the apprentices' den. "Ghostpaw, we're going out early for a border check." Green eyes were full of unspoken satisfaction, Hollystorm hovering on the line between telling Ghostpaw of his impending ceremony, and letting it be a surprise.

@calico Taxx (Crowpaw mention!) williams (Thornscar mention!) 343 Words Notes

[Deleted]

"Ghostpaw, we're going out early for a border check."

Grumbling to himself, Ghostpaw untangled his limbs from his nest.

Ever since the fox attack at the gathering, watching Moonshine be hurt because of him, Ghostpaw had been having trouble sleeping properly. Once he was asleep, he was okay, he would sleep through until he either woke naturally or was woken by his mentor or another cat for a patrol. It was getting to sleep that was the problem. He'd toss, he'd turn, he'd end up with the whole of his immediate orbit in the apprentice's den moaning at him because his restlessness was keeping them awake. 

He hadn't slept well. At all.

But, his duties and his training called. So up he got from his fitful sleep. 

Giving all of his limbs a quick stretch, one by one, he shook the sleepiness out of him, giving himself some energy for the night ahead. 

Padding out of the den, he saw Hollystorm waiting for him by the entrance to the camp. Joining her, he stretched one last big stretch before padding out after her. 

"I'm here! Which border are we checking?"

196 / Fawn

[Fawn]

Baby I need light, I need fire

42 Moons Warrior NightClan

"RainClan's," mewed Hollystorm, regarding Ghostpaw with a hint of amusement. He looked as rumpled as a fledgling sparrow - but he had stretched and soldiered on, showing more discipline than his father ever had in his life. The good news buzzed around inside Hollystorm's skull, and though she waited until they had entered the solitude of the black woods to speak, she held off on spoiling the surprise. "You don't look as if you slept well, Ghostpaw." The black-coated warrioress slowed her pace until they were walking side by side, equals, rather than mentor and apprentice - though he would always be her favorite nephew.

"I know we're not the kind of family that sits around and talks about our feelings, but I'm here if you want someone to listen." Hollystorm snorted, thinking of her father's irritable, machismo personality. The only feels Blackwolf ever talked about were anger, mockery or triumph in battle. Or to put down their enemies. That concluded the full range of Blackwolf's emotional spectrum.

Bonetail was likewise as tight-lipped about his emotions, though Hollystorm assumed that was because heart-to-hearts were tiresome. In a way, he was right. Hollystorm's thoughts circled back to that day with Sunpulse, as they struggled to shed some light on a rocky, torturous past few moons leading up to that point. Honesty was tiresome, but Hollystorm had found value in the feeling of being lighter, after she had said what she'd said.

@calico 238 Words Notes

[Deleted]

The fact that his aunt was there for him as more than just a mentor/apprentice relationship made Ghostpaw have a weight taken off his heart. 

"You're right. I haven't been sleeping well... I can't help but feel responsible for Moonshine's death. I know it's silly, she died defending me and other cats from a group of foxes, if the paws were switched, I would have done the same... But I still feel responsible. I mean, she'll have littermates, right? Mother? Father? Son? Now all of them are without her and it's all my fault. I should go to Silverstar, explain what happened, and apologise... If they'd ever accept my apology."

He fell silent, sedately walking step for step with Hollystorm. His thoughts were in turmoil, but he tried his best to make his concentration and focus be on what he could see outside his thoughts. 

It may have just been a border patrol, but foxes or other predators could be anywhere. He needed his wits about him to avoid what happened to Moonshine and the other cats who died happening to anyone else. Especially those he cared about. 

191 / Fawn

[Fawn]

Baby I need light, I need fire

42 Moons Warrior NightClan

Hollystorm's tail flicked. That's what he's worried about? That RainClan lost their deputy? Hollystorm had no love for the other Clans, most NightClan cats didn't - but still, she understood her nephew well enough to see why this would bother him. He was not as hard-edged as their Clanmates. He was softer, kinder, and that wasn't always a bad thing.

"RainClan doesn't want your apology, Ghostpaw." It sounded harsh, but as she turned to face him, it was clear by her stern expression that she wasn't telling him this to be mean. "The best way you can honor Moonshine's sacrifice is by living the life she died protecting. It was the night of a gathering, and RainClan's deputy acted like a warrior. Not every cat would have tried to save someone from another Clan; I don't know if she has family or friends back home, but I know they can be proud that she lived up to her title."

Deputyship wasn't just a stepping stone between warriorhood and leadership. Some cats, as she knew well, could die without ever reaching the coveted rank of -star. But whether they did or not didn't change the fact that as a Clan's deputy, they had a very specific role to fulfill. Silverstar had been distracted by the fox attack. In the chain of command, leadership then fell to the deputy. Moonshine had done exactly as she should have.

It was a shame she lost her life in the process, but could anyone say it wasn't for noble reasons?

Hollystorm's tone softened, and she gave Ghostpaw's ear a lick. "You are not at fault, Ghostpaw. Let that guilt go, it won't help you become a better warrior. Tonight, let's share prey and say a word of thanks to Moonshine for her sacrifice. She gave me my nephew back, and I'm grateful for that." Stars above, it had been a hellish night. But they had managed to come away from it unscathed. Mostly.

@calico 327 Words Notes