[Phoenix]

Bravebird
settle down it’ll all be clear
pay no mind to the demons
they fill you with fear

- - -

That silly grin that had spread across his lips when he'd heard that he and Russethawk had been assigned to a border patrol together still hadn't left, even now, when they were half way to the invisible line that separated LightningClan and RainClan. With both of them distracted by their warrior duties, and the older tom with his own apprentice to train, their time together had shrunk dramatically since their apprentice days. It was rare that they ever really had the chance to talk and catch up, even goof around, and though this was supposed to be a patrol, which undoubtedly required the utmost seriousness to complete, Bravebird was not above taking what he could get.

Blue eyes landing on his best friend and lighting up with a platonic love for his companion, he nudged the other tom with his shoulder as they walked on, side by side. "Sooo," The tom prompted, the mischievous grin on his face practically audible in his words. "Razorfang and Roselight are getting pretty friendly, don't you think?" He wasn't usually one for gossip, but he couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease his friend about his former mentor and aunt. The mere thought of Swanfeather with anyone, let alone his former mentor, Duckquack, and it was not just because mates were forbidden to medicine cats. To have the relationship actually occur must have been infinitely more strange, though knowing Russethawk, Bravebird was confident that he supported those two special cats in his life - even if it could seem a little awkward.

- - -

Fawn

if you get lost you can always be found
just know you’re not alone
cause i’m gonna make this place your home

[Fawn]

Russethawk
18 Moons || Warrior || Tom || RainClan

Great StarClan when was the last time they'd spent some real time together? Having spent the night helping Rushpaw work on his fishing skills under more challenging conditions (as in fishing by the light of the moon) Russethawk had rolled out of his nest this morning with some signs of tiredness, still getting up a little after dawn like any respectable warrior should. Rather than let that fatigue carry over into his sunhigh, Russethawk was feeling more energized then ever – probably almost completely due to the presence of his best friend in the whole Clan, Bravebird. At mention of his cousin and former mentor getting rather friendly as of late, Russethawk made a noise halfway between a snort and a laugh, emerald green eyes swiveling to catch sight of the younger warrior's grin. ”You think so? I hadn't noticed.” Sporting a large grin to match Bravebird's, the ruddy tom was obviously joking considering just about everyone in the Clan had noticed the deputy and his cousin's behavior around one another. Though Roselight acted with dignity and poise in all that she did, particularly when it came to Razorfang, there was just something surrounding the two of them that was difficult to ignore. Russethawk wasn't even sure they realized what it is yet, though most of the Clan had figured it out by now. Glad Bravebird hadn't broached the subject of Russethawk spending extra time with Lilystream lately, he made certain to steer the direction well away from what he'd been up to recently; what Russethawk wanted to know the most was what Bravebird had been occupying his time with. With so much empty space in the boulder field, and the lack of running water nearby, the ruddy tom felt exposed and in an unusually silent part of the forest, unaccustomed to so many rocks and such uneven terrain- finding that the peatier soil of the river banks was much more to his liking. Intending to fill the unusual silence in this section of RainClan's territory, Russethawk spoke again. ”Speaking of friendly, what have you been doing when not hanging out with me? Is there a she-cat I don't know about?” Well, he's probably been spending more time with Swanfeather lately, though with Swanfeather's new apprentice she might not need as much help from him. So what had Bravebird been up to?

[Phoenix]

Bravebird
settle down it’ll all be clear
pay no mind to the demons
they fill you with fear

- - -

Though he clearly caught the sarcasm in Russethawk’s response, the warrior’s blue eyes lit up as his grin grew wider, and he made no attempt at hiding it when he teased lightly, ”Really? I think we’ll have to stop in at Swanfeather’s and get your eyes checked then.” Short of being blind or living under a rock as opposed to in a nice, warm den, there was no way anyone could miss the way those two acted around each other, and he chuckled just thinking about it. The warrior paused for a moment before adding with the utmost sincerity, ”Actually, if your vision is that bad, I think maybe we should just turn around now. I don’t want you tripping over a rock or anything and hurting yourself.” He could have almost passed for being a feline who genuinely believed his friend, if that grin would vacate his features.

When the conversation turned toward him, however, it did fade slightly as he thought. ”Well, there’s no she-cat, I can assure you,” He answered immediately, and cast a knowing look at his friend. ”Not sure I can say the same about you, however. If I’ve asked about Roselight, I suppose the least I can do is ask how Lilystream’s doing.” That grin was back and his tone was light and teasing. They may not have had the chance to hang out for far too long, but that hardly meant he was oblivious to what his friend was doing. He did not, nor did he really want to, know the exact details, but more often than not when he had glanced over at the ruddy tom, the pretty she-cat had been by his side. There was definitely potential there, and though he would be the first to mercilessly tease Russethawk about it, he would also be the first to support his best friend.

”Apart from that, I haven’t been doing anything super amazing,” Bravebird commented idly, flicking his tail. ”Helping Crowpaw a little with his fishing technique, though I think he’s mostly got it now. I go see Swanfeather when I can, but we’re both pretty busy.” His smile had faded again at the thought of the medicine cat, for it had been a while since they both had truly been able to spend time together like he and Russethawk were doing now. It wasn’t that he begrudged Fernpaw, for it was good that the she-cat had found an apprentice to whom she could pass her knowledge, but it meant that Swanfeather devoted most of her time to showing the younger cat the ropes. ”Guess that’s a part of growing up though,” He mused, partially thinking out loud but not finding it within him to be particularly bothered if his friend heard. ”We all have less time to hang out and talk.” Pale shoulders lifted in a shrug as he gestured toward his friend with his tail. ”I mean, you have an apprentice now, big, important mentor, you. What’s it like ‘passing on your valuable wisdom to the next generation’?”

- - -

if you get lost you can always be found
just know you’re not alone
cause i’m gonna make this place your home

[Fawn]

Russethawk
18 Moons || Warrior || Tom || RainClan

Fortunately for Russethawk, Bravebird didn't dwell on the topic of Lilystream, though the ruddy tom felt a little hot beneath his pelt at how easily his friend saw right to the cause of most of his distractions when he wasn't training Rushpaw. Nodding his head in agreement at the tom's casual remarks about adulthood, when he was once again teased, this time on the subject of apprenticeship, Russethawk let out a short laugh. "I've actually taken the Razorfang approach to mentoring," he mewed coolly, eyes glittering. "You know, I make sure Rushpaw does everything he's told and snap at him if he puts so much as one claw out of line, and I wake him up at a the crack of moonhigh to make sure we do some night fishing, because if the sun ever falls from the sky he'll totally be prepared." Alluding to how strictly Razorfang had trained him those tiresome, incredible moons spent under the deputy's tutelage, Russethawk felt completely comfortable poking a bit of fun at his mentor now and again. Of course, the fact that Razorfang wasn't skulking nearby made it a lot easier. Chuckling, Russethawk answered him in earnest. "It's kind of unreal, actually. He asked me something the other day - about his siblings - and I wasn't sure how to answer him at first." Remembrance flashed in potent emerald eyes as he recalled the hopeful, desperate expression written all over the young tabby and white tom's face. "I've never been in a position where one word from me is going to mean hope or helplessness to another feline." Fixing Bravebird with a sincere expression of awe, it was clearly still a surprise to the young warrior that he was suddenly in such an important position, the idea that there were cats looking to him for answers hadn't fully set in yet. That's part of being a warrior, and a deputy, and more importantly, a leader. His dream of one day looking after the whole of RainClan had not died after the deaths of his parents, despite what many may believe. If anything, having had such an interesting life lesson with his own apprentice, it was stronger than ever. He wanted to be the tom who could reassure others, who could be honest with them and give them the kind of support they needed either to pursue what could possibly be a dead end, or cope with the grief of knowing that they may never have all the answers or loose ends properly tied up.

[Phoenix]

Bravebird
settle down it’ll all be clear
pay no mind to the demons
they fill you with fear

- - -

”Really,” He commented smoothly, nodding sagely. ”The Razorfang approach.” Playing along, he listened to the description of the rigorous training that came with the deputy’s method of preparing the younger generations for warriorhood and thought it had resulted in a fully confident, capable warrior, he could not help but feel some sympathy for his friend. He wasn’t particularly surprised, because Razorfang had always struck him as a strict, demanding mentor with high expectations, but a part of him was glad that it was Russethawk instead of himself. His own mentor had been far from that strict, but he thought that he had turned out okay. ”I’m sure he appreciates every task you give him, particularly the parts to prepare him for when the sun falls from the sky, which will happen very soon, of course.” A slow nod of understanding was followed by a grin flashed at his friend, showing that no offense was intended.

The ruddy tom had joked about his mentor, but Bravebird could never be too sure about what exactly was too far. It changed with every cat, and even by day, in the cases of some.

When his friend began offering a serious response to the question, he found himself nodding again, though out of understanding rather than playfulness. Understanding with a limit, at least. Having never been a mentor himself, he couldn’t yet claim to be able to empathize with someone who had shouldered that responsibility and duty, but it was easy to imagine how strange it was. To a certain extent, he had experienced that indescribable sensation Russethawk was describing. Kits looked up to him with the same awe in their eyes that had occupied his pale blue when he had still slept in Swanfeather’s den.

”I can imagine,” He spoke honestly, meeting the other tom’s gaze with an open one of his own. ”I was just thinking, I mean, the kits worship us. I remember being a kit; it really wasn’t that long ago. And I don’t think we’re nearly as cool as they think we are.” Shaking his head at the strangeness of it all, the warrior paused and let out a disbelieving laugh. ”More so for you than me, I guess, but do you remember how we all looked up to our mentors? They influenced us so much, and if you think about it, they had the power to completely mess up the rest of our lives. That’s a lot of responsibility.” Hurriedly, he added, ”Not that I’m doubting you or anything, Russethawk. I can’t think of someone who’d make a better mentor than you.” Excluding his own, of course, because no one could be a better mentor than the tom who had trained him.

- - -

if you get lost you can always be found
just know you’re not alone
cause i’m gonna make this place your home

[Fawn]

Russethawk
18 Moons || Warrior || Tom || RainClan

”Wow, what a wonderful source of comfort you are,” mewed Russethawk with uncharacteristic sarcasm – but the playful glitter of emerald eyes showed that this was hardly heartfelt, his expression still stuck in that ever present grin, the tom shoulder-bumping the other. Bravebird's words had really put things into perspective for the ruddy tom; he still hadn't fully grasped the reality of the situation, but he was starting to. The kits worship us. The apprentices treated them as though they had all this knowledge, when roughly six moons ago he'd been in their paws bouncing out of the apprentices' den every morning to go train with Razorfang and dream of warriorhood. Russethawk paused in his stride to look at his own reflection in the river's surface; "You know, we really look all grown up but I don't feel all grown up. I'm definitely more mature than before, but it's not like I have all the answers or anything really figured out." He could see what would make the kits and apprentices want to look up to him, to assume he had all this secret warrior knowledge they weren't allowed to know about. The moons had been treating him kindly, his height during apprenticeship nothing but a fond memory, the tom now resembling a nice blend of both his parents' body types - his mother's light bone structure with his father's thick fur and tall stature. His 'mane' was nothing like that of his distant relatives in TreeClan, but it gave him a more adult-like appearance, combined with fairly masculine features and a long, almost vulpine over-all look. He wasn't the only one who'd grown, either. Bravebird certainly had the 'warrior' look that they had aspired for during their kithood, Russethawk's best friend having grown tall, having never quite filled out as much as Russethawk had – though he arguably always looked larger given his denser, fuller coat – but there was no question now that he was a full fledged warrior. ”What are you going to do when you get your own apprentice? Vultureback and Falconleap had their second litter yesterday,” Russethawk mewed after a while, already linking the two things together with the possibility that Bravebird could be mentor to one of two of RainClan's newest editions.

[Phoenix]

Bravebird
settle down it’ll all be clear
pay no mind to the demons
they fill you with fear

- - -

The unsuspected sarcasm had the tom grinning fondly as he cast a sideways glance at his friend, taking the nudge in stride. Despite their somewhat sobering topic of choice, it was incredibly easy to believe that they were two apprentices instead of warriors, goofing off together and teasing each other as they marched through StoneClan’s former territory. Bravebird had that pathetic smile on his lips, and Russethawk had that playful glint in his eyes; he could almost fool himself into thinking that they were Bravepaw and Russetpaw once more. Except deep in his friend’s green eyes were the shadows of enduring the pain of losing both his parents, and he could easily believe his own were distantly haunted by the distance that had developed between him and Swanfeather, though the pain of that was far from that of the other tom’s. They might pretend to be for a few hours, but they were different from the completely carefree cats who had bounded up to River Stone during their respective apprentice ceremonies to begin their training.

Russethawk seemed have been thinking along similar lines in the pleasant silence that had fallen between them as they walked and reflected. Finding himself nodding in agreement, the white tom with gray points shot another look toward the warrior beside him. The ruddy feline certainly looked the part, even if he didn’t feel it. ”Yeah,” He agreed quietly, tail tip flicking. ”I know what you mean. I’ve changed and learned stuff, but not enough that other cats should come up to me asking for advice. It’s not like I know exactly what I’m doing, not like the older warriors.” Bravebird paused, offering his friend a smile. ”I guess that means I’m just good at acting.” Pale shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. Perhaps he was being slightly unfair to himself, for he did know how to hunt and fish and all the important aspects of being a RainClan warrior. He knew that he knew them, but there was just something different that set him apart from the other warriors. He couldn’t quite explain it, but it was there.

And then his best friend decided to fire a question at him that had yet to cross his mind. Caught slightly off guard with the whole idea, he answered honestly, ”I don’t know.” Pale blue eyes found green, and a small, nervous smile, crossed his lips at the foreign idea. Vultureback and Falconleap had a second litter? He had thought the former StoneClan deputy was looking fairly round, and it really didn’t come as much of a surprise to him, but it hadn’t even crossed his mind that in six months, he might be a mentor to one of their kits. ”I haven’t even thought about it.” Awe lingered in his voice. ”It’s a strange thought, though.” He chuckled. ”I mean, me? A mentor?”

- - -

if you get lost you can always be found
just know you’re not alone
cause i’m gonna make this place your home