[Deleted]

Cedarkit

4 Moons || RainClan || Tom

Cedarkit was laying in his nest, thinking of being an apprentice. He was excited for that momentous occasion, but also incredibly nervous... He knew that he'd be an apprentice in Leaf-bare (which, as his mother had told him many times, was the hardest time for any Clan, but much worse on theirs. Their own clan would be hit hardest of all, because their main source of prey, the river that flowed through the territory, would freeze over in the cold weather. That meant there would be a lot less to eat. He was already taking fresh-kill, which meant one less piece than everybody else. 

it's okay... Cedarkit thought to himself sadly. I'll just have to eat less so the cats who are the most useful and helpful to the Clan can be fed first.

The warrior code, which he had been taught by his mother from the earliest day he could remember, dictated that kits, queens and elders had to be fed first. He was fine with that. But he wouldn't be a kit anymore - and therefore would have to wait a while for his meals. He was fine with that, too. 

"Momma, I'm going to go for a walk around the camp for a bit. Get some warmth into my paws, and get used to how the colder weather feels. I'll bring you some fresh-kill on my way back!"

His mother purred happily at him, pleased he was acting on his own initiative.

When he made it into the main camp, he saw Fernpaw sitting alone and made a beeline straight for her.

"Hi Fernpaw! Can you teach me how to hunt?"

 'Cause I know that it's me, they've been coming to see, to forget about life for a while.

296 Taxx  Notes: Cedarkit is growing up!

[Taxx]

Fernpaw

7 Moons. She-Cat. RainClan.

Fernpaw sat curled in a ball, chatting with Wrenpaw about different techniques used for fishing and catching land prey. Obviously, stealth was a must for both, but Fernpaw felt that fishing was a bit simpler. Less stalking and more waiting for a fish to get close enough to strike. Wrenpaw disagreed: you could chase land prey, and catch it if you were lucky, but if you struck at and missed a fish, your chance to catch anything for a while was gone.

Fernpaw was about to argue the point when a small voice interrupted, and she and Wrenpaw glanced around to see the kit. Fernpaw blinked at the request, casting a glance at her fellow apprentice. "Um..." she replied, a bit hesitant. "I suppose. But why? You don't have to know this yet. Not until you're six moons, and then your mentor will teach you."

If Cedarkit persisted, she would teach him- and maybe it wasn't an odd request. Lots of kits wanted to learn before they were old enough to be apprenticed, and it didn't hurt anything to teach them a thing or two- so long as they stayed in the camp like they were supposed to. Rising to her paws and stretching to loosen muscles, Fernpaw blinked at the kit- half waiting for his assertion that he wanted to, and half wondering how to begin.

@calico ooc:

[Deleted]

Cedarkit

4 Moons || RainClan || Tom

Cedarkit was delighted. He genuinely didn't expect Fernpaw to agree to his request. He did, however, expect her hesitation, understood it even. It meant that she was actually going to consider what he asked. He knew this, which was why he had chosen Fernpaw to ask. He had a feeling that if he had asked any other apprentice, they'd have said no straight away, feeling too busy or too important to bother with a kit like him. He couldn't ask the warriors - they were far too busy guarding the camp and hunting. The apprentices had a little more free time.

"StarClan yes i'd love to! I know I don't need to know it yet, but I want to impress my mentor, when I get them! I asked you because you're amazing and lovely and I knew you'd say yes! I just knew you would!"

Cedarkit was so excited he began to bounce around happily.

 'Cause I know that it's me, they've been coming to see, to forget about life for a while.

180 Taxx Notes: He's so cute!

[Taxx]

Fernpaw

7 Moons. She-Cat. RainClan.

The kit’s enthusiasm made Fernpaw purr, watching as he began to gush, capering in front of her. “Well, they certainly will be impressed when they see how much you've mastered before you've even been apprenticed.” Indulging him a bit- he was still young and she had very little training in battle herself, but she could at least pass on what she did know.

Flashing out a paw, claws securely sheathed, Fernpaw lightly batted the kit on his nose. “First bit of advice, making lots of noise will definitely drive off prey. You want to be quiet, as silent as the owl flies. Show me how quiet you can be!” Padding a short distance away, she turned her back on Cedarkit. “Can you be quiet enough to sneak up on me?”

At three moons, Cedarkit was growing quickly- but he was still all soft fur and gangly paws. He might have the instinct to move stealthily, but he didn’t have the training. But, who knew? He might just surprise her. Off to the side, paws now tucked beneath him and eyes curious, Wrenpaw watched the impromptu lesson, amusement evident in the purr that vibrated in his throat.

@calico ooc:

[Deleted]

Cedarkit

4 Moons || RainClan || Tom

"Can you be quiet enough to sneak up on me?"

Fernpaw had her back turned. First mistake. She underestimated him. Second mistake.

Cedarkit immediately fell silent. He gauged the situation, looking around him and properly taking in his surroundings. She was standing next to a puddle, it was on her right side. 

Can't go that way... she'll see me coming.

He looked over to Wrenpaw, who was watching him with hooded eyes. Wrenpaw, for his part, was interested to see what Cedarkit would do. He nodded to the smaller kit - he wouldn't give him away. 

Cedarkit was still planning his attack. He couldn't go from the right, the puddle next to her was evidence of that. He did, however, have an idea.

Folding his legs underneath him, keeping his haunches low, he began to move slowly, silently to the left, keeping as out of sight as he could. He had to trust that Fernpaw would not look around and see him coming, but he had a feeling that the honourable she-cat wouldn't do that. 

When he was within striking distance, he leapt. Caterwauling a high-pitched battlecry, he bowled into the she-cat, sending them both sprawling into the puddle. 

He leapt out of the puddle, shivering wildly.

"While I got myself wet in the process Fernpaw, look at yourself, you're soaked!"

Cedarkit purred loudly, as if laughing, happy at his accomplishment.

Wrenpaw looked on, amused.

 'Cause I know that it's me, they've been coming to see, to forget about life for a while.

268 Taxx Notes: GOT YOU!

[Taxx]

Fernpaw

7 Moons. She-Cat. RainClan.

Fernpaw waited, her back to Cedarkit and Wrenpaw, listening for some sign of the kit’s approach. But, for all her concentrating, the first hint was the ear-piercing screech, raised a heartbeat before the kit’s body plowed into her. Caught off-guard and unbalanced, Fernpaw gave a squeak of her own as she and Cedarkit splashed into the puddle. Water soaked into her pelt instantly, but as she sprang up and shook, most of the drops spun off.

“Brrr!” The young apprentice twisted her head to where her fur had spiked up from the soaking, quickly smoothing it down again. “That’s cold!” Shaking again to dry her fur as much as possible, and then she sat, facing Cedarkit. “Well done, young one. I didn’t hear you at all until you were leaping at me. Has someone been giving you lessons in secret?” Purring, partly in amusement, but unable to help a prickle of embarrassment at being tackled by a kit.

“Would you like to know more?” There wasn’t too much else she knew, but she didn’t mind showing him what she had been taught. “I can show you the hunting crouch and how to stalk woodland prey, if you’d like?”

@calico ooc:

[Deleted]

Cedarkit

4 Moons || RainClan || Tom

Cedarkit glowed with pride. He wasn't that far now off becoming an apprentice. He wasn't that much younger than Fernpaw, yet even the slightest bit of praise had him happy. He'd be sure to tell his momma when he eventually got back. 

Shaking his fur like a dog, he got rid of the worst of the water that was still covering him. It also served the purpose of warming him back up. 

He ran over to Wrenpaw, butting his head against his shoulder gently. 

Wrenpaw purred loudly. He was proud of the little scrap of fur with the long legs and the big heart.

Cedarkit paused in his happiness to look at Fernpaw properly, hoping he hadn't gotten her too wet. The last thing Cedarkit wanted was for her to get a chill. Especially when she was in the process of training with her mentor. He'd feel horrible if that were the case and her training had to be delayed as a result. 

"Fernpaw? Are you ok, really? I'm sorry if I caught you by surprise. I'd love to learn everything you have to teach me, and when I get my warrior name eventually, i'll owe all of my success to you, Fernpaw! You're my hero!"

The smaller cat looked up at the older she-cat, a mixture of reverence and hero-worship in his eyes. Fernpaw was his new favourite cat, even better than his mother in that moment. 

 'Cause I know that it's me, they've been coming to see, to forget about life for a while.

262 Taxx Notes: Uh oh Fern has an admirer... You can let him down gently or be mean, up to you