[Taxx]

Finchpaw

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory

Finchpaw sat by the entrance tunnel, tail flicking, the fluffy tip whipping back and forth over a puddle of water, trailing hairs brushing the surface and causing ripples that held his attention. He was waiting for the other two of his hunting patrol to show up- Oakwind and Amberwing. At least one of those had caused him to perk up.

He had grabbed a small shrew from the fresh-kill pile and swallowed it in a few quick bites, eager to get going and wishing the two warriors would hurry up so they could be on their way. What was taking them so long, anyway? Warriors were so slow- if he hadn't had to wait for them, Finchpaw would have already gone off on his own.

His gaze lifted and he brightened at the sight of Oakwind approaching. He stood, stretching out his legs and greeting the warrior with a flick of his tail, eyes flashing past at the gray form of Amberwing. Good. Oakwind hardly paused, ducking into the tunnel, and Finchpaw followed, his ears twitching at the thought of hunting with the fiery she-cat- and wondering if he might actually manage to use some of the advice Zephyrfang had given him.
Justice

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE

[Justice]

Amberwing

13 Moons, She-Cat, TreeClan

The gray she-cat wasn't all that pleased to have been assigned to a patrol with someone she despised. But orders were orders, and going against Lionstar or Gorsetail over something like a hunting patrol was stupid. She'd bide her time, but that didn't mean she was going to be nice to the obnoxious little tom. She padded in at a steady pace, her lengthening legs making the task easier and easier. She'd be tall when she was full grown, but she had a little longer to go before she reached her full size. That was okay.

She didn't bother to stop for food, she wasn't hungry and just ignored the little tom as she started for the camp exit. "Lets go."

Why couldn't she have gone out hunting with Mockingbird or Owlstrike? At least with them she didn't have to pretend to care about the gossip of camp. At least with them she cared what they had to say.

And what a lovely night it is
To walk a moonlit field
To see the softer shades
That are by starlight now revealed
✦

Words ✦ Taxx ✦ Notes

[Taxx]

Finchpaw

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory

It wasn't the warmest of greetings, but Finchpaw wasn't going to let that get him down. After all, wasn't it his fault? Somehow he had messed up, had gotten too carried away, and she had always been an easily irritated cat. He'd fix it, make things right between them, and one day they'd have a love to rival even Zephyrfang and Silentsong.

"Good morning, Amberwing," he began, catching up to the she-cat and keeping pace with her. "Good luck hunting. It's not the best sort of day to catch much, but we might have some luck, and more if we work together." Oakwind, it seemed, was ignoring them, and that was just fine by Finchpaw.

"Where are we hunting?" he asked, since that was why they were out here in the first place, but his gaze was still solely on Amberwing, only glancing away to make sure he wasn't about to run into any trees.
Justice

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE

[Justice]

Amberwing's mind was leagues away from her current actions. She was thinking on things that needed to happen, plans she was making and cats she would rather be spending time with than the ones she was with now. She wondered if Owlstrike would be interested in learning how to swim, a skill most TreeClan cats didn't care for but one that could ultimately prove useful. After all, being able to swim meant one would be less likely to drown if one somehow fell into the fast moving river. If only Finchpaw would fall into the river and be swept under its chilled waters. That would solve so many problems.

She blinked slowly when he wished her good morning, but didn't respond until asked where they were going. "Probably to the woods, where the trees are thick and there are birds to pounce." Her favorite prey was certain brightly colored birds, mostly because she could take the bright feathers for trophies to show her mother later.

She wasn't ignorant to him looking at her, but pretended she didn't notice. Did he want her to shred him or something? Because right now he wasn't impressing her in any way. Amberwing reminded herself that she was supposed to be a helpful, active member of the clan, and clan members hunted together and were generally at least tolerant of one another.

"How's your mother been?" Silentsong had been in the nursery the same time they had, she remembered the quiet she-cat from her days in the nursery. She at least was tolerable.

Taxx
BlooRey DVD for Silentsong mention
Phoenix for Owlstrike mention

[Taxx]

Finchpaw

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory

“That’s a great place to hunt!” Brightly spoken, the unspoken admiration thick in his tone. “We’ll catch lots there. More if we work together, right?” Not quite so subtle on the hint, another glance from hopeful eyes directed at the she-cat.

“More if you keep your mouth shut,” grumbled Oakwind, still in front as he led them on. Finchpaw obeyed, ears flicking in a moment of embarrassment at the rebuke, only to perk up once more as Amberwing asked after Silentsong.

“She’s doing great,” he replied, his voice softer now, a quick glance at the older tom as he spoke, wary of another scolding. “As close as ever to Zephyrfang.” A short pause before he went on, “And how have you been doing lately? I hardly see you any more, since you became a warrior.”

Justice

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE

[Justice]

Amberwing

13 Moons, She-Cat, TreeClan

Amberwing winced at the volume Finchpaw spoke at, noting his admiration of her self and feeling ill at the concept that he might have a crush on her or something. Luckily, Oakwind had some common sense and told Finchpaw to shut it before she could. "Oakwind's right. Loud voices and paws will scare away the prey."

She heard the older tom grumbling at them, but at least she hadn't gotten her head bitten off. And at least Finchpaw had the grace to look embarassed. But he needed to have his bubble popped before it got any bigger. "Bird catching is typically a solo hunt. Besides, I prefer to hunt with other she-cats." Which was true. Her list of cats she liked to hunt with were mostly she-cats and two toms that were the exception. The two being her brother Aspenpaw and Owlstrike.

The she-cat flicked her ears as he spoke of his parents. She had always wondered why it was most of the other cats of the clan addressed their parents by name. She called her mother by name only on occassion, and usually only when trying to work out a problem that involved her. Otherwise, she was just her mother and was addressed as such.

How had she been doing? She forced a pleasant smile to her features, tail flicking as she came up with a standard answer. "Fine. Getting used to the change in duties and where I'm sleeping. The nests in the warrior's den are a bit bigger than I'm used to. But I'm sure it'll be fine." She gave him a smile, though not one she hoped he took as encouraging. "I hope that someday I'll be as lucky as your parents. Or Mockingbird. I hope I'll find someone that'll share my nest and think I'm the whole world." Yes, she could play the standard she-cat, thinking of romance and family even though right now she didn't think there was an equal for her in TreeClan. Except, maybe, for Owlstrike. But she'd have to feel him out first. And romance was the last thing on her mind.

What she really wanted, more than anything, was a true partner. Someone that understood her when she wasn't pretending, and wasn't afraid of the things she thought about and wanted to do.  Like plotting Lionstar's demise in order to free her mother from his control.

And what a lovely night it is
To walk a moonlit field
To see the softer shades
That are by starlight now revealed
✦

Words ✦ Taxx ✦ Notes

[Taxx]

Finchpaw

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory

Of course he didn’t want to frighten prey. He’d just forgotten, for a moment, that they were supposed to be on a hunt. He was less pleased when she informed him that birds were best caught in solo hunts; did that mean she wanted to split up? Her admission that she preferred hunting with other she-cats confused him. What difference did it make? They all learned the same skills, and while she-cats did tend to be a bit smaller and lighter, most toms were able to be just as stealthy.

Finchpaw glanced away, the ear closest to Amberwing twisted in her direction to indicate his continued attention, but his gaze was on Oakwind now; the older tom had given them a last look before padding off, probably to get some distance so he could hunt. Which suited the young tom just fine.

It was good to hear that she’d been doing well in her new rank, with her increased duties. They seemed to suit her, but he missed her in the apprentices’ den- not that he’d tell her that. Becoming a warrior was an achievement, but Finchpaw had always thought they’d reach it together. “Of course it’ll be fine,” he replied; he started to bring his tail around to touch the tip to her shoulder, but hesitated at the last minute and flicked it back the other way. “You’re strong and brave- a little thing like a too-big nest won’t bother you for long.”

And then. Finchpaw glanced over as she continued, amber eyes blinking at the she-cat, his breath catching in his throat and wondering… but she’d said it, wished for it. How could he just nod and say nothing? “I could…” he began, pausing for a moment to swallow, eyes wide as his heart began to beat faster, tail flicking back and forth. “I could be that for you. If you want…?”
Justice

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE

[Justice]

She was concentrating on the area around them, looking for a good tree to climb up so she could start hunting for herself. She had dismissed Finchpaw altogether after informing him she preferred the company of other she-cats. But, it seemed, he didn't get the hint. While she did not find other she-cats to be romantically interesting, she really did prefer hunting with other she-cats. That she was paired with two toms, one of them a pain in her backside, rankled her nerves.

And then the little snot tried to touch her. Her body went tense and a warning growl rolled through her, tail tipping angrily before he'd flicked it back the other way. The movement aborted she tried to settle down, but he just had to open his mouth again.

Amberwing stopped walking and turned to the other cat, her eyes narrowing as revulsion and rage started pulling from the depths of her spirit. "Finchpaw." She deadpanned, and a hiss was ruffling the length of her fur as she gave in to her rage and sheer hatred. "I tried very hard to be nice about this, but you just overstepped yourself. I don't like you. You repulse me, everything about you makes my fur crawl." Her voice had lilted to cold frost, green eyes boring into the other cat. "How dare you? First you make an attempt to touch me without my approval, without even thinking on rather or not I wanted you to touch me, then you rattle off that stupid comment? Have you no sense or are you just too thick-skulled to realize that I'm. Not. Interested." She stalked up to him, glad she was getting steadily taller as she aged, legs lengthening and frame leaning down into a warrior's body.

She angled her shoulder and hit him with it, a hard shove. "Why would anything have changed from when we were apprentices together? I didn't want any part of your nonsense then and I want no part of it now. You are not my idea of the perfect partner, far from it." Her fur was fluffed out, claws bared and hissing every so often as she stood her ground before the tom.

"Go find someone who might actually be interested in you, stop hounding me like I might actually be a cat you can possibly have something with." She shoved him again then stalked away with a huff.

Taxx

[Taxx]

Finchpaw

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory

Finchpaw had seen his chance and taken it. Amberwing had said it- expressing her desire for a tom to see her and care for her no matter what. Why couldn’t that be him? She was everything he’d ever dreamed of, spunky and fearless and capable, traits he adored all wrapped in a pretty coat of gray fur.

He might have been a touch more wary as she’d growled at him when he had attempted to brush her shoulder with his tail, but it hadn’t stopped him. It should have.

Whatever he had been prepared for (a confession of similar feelings, a moment of promising that they’d be together forever, a forming of the spark that Zephyrfang had talked about) it was nothing like what he got. Amberwing turned to face him, but her eyes were already furious and a hiss followed his name.

Finchpaw hesitated, shrinking backward as Amberwing tore into him, each word sharp as the claws of an enemy warrior, scoring his spirit instead of his body. Mouth open, speechless, he stared at the she-cat as she went on, a flash of confusion and guilt flooding through him. She was repulsed by him? He made her fur crawl? The insult stung, but he didn’t try to break in to defend himself, just gaped as she went on.

Not interested. Loud and clear, and finally Finchpaw heard. The slightest flinch as she paced toward him, half expecting her to add her claws to drive her point home, but besides a blow from her shoulder to his, she offered no harm. Physically.

Her words began to blur together, a rain of irritated questions and jabs; the tom hunched over a bit, eyes narrowing as she continued- it took him a minute to even realize she had passed, finished with her tirade and gone to begin the hunt. The reason they’d come out here.

He knew, in the back of his mind, that he shouldn’t go off on his own, but Finchpaw couldn’t face seeing Amberwing again so soon. Darting off, he ran for the camp, his breath catching in his throat- a choking feeling building. He’d been so stupid. Zephyrfang had tried to tell him, too, but he’d completely ignored it and carried on, blind and mouse-brained. How many others had seen his attempts- how many thought he was thick-skulled? Were they all laughing, or waiting for it to come to the abrupt end that it had?

Silentsong. He needed her and it didn’t matter how old he was, how close to being a warrior. Bolting into the camp, the ginger tom headed for the warriors’ den, ignoring the fact that he wasn’t supposed to be there- he didn’t know who else he could turn to who would understand. She was there, but there was no room left for relief; Finchpaw crawled closer, ears back, eyes squeezing shut as he pressed himself against her, unable to help a wordless, pathetic mew, the small noise expressing his complete misery.
Justice
BlooRey DVD

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE

[BlooRey DVD]

58 Moons, Senior Warrior of TreeClan

The tortoiseshell senior warrioress had slipped back into the warrior's den in the later part of the morning, having attended the Dawn Patrol earlier. She'd settled down to sleep a little more, enjoying the warmth that hadn't yet left the warrior's den, brought about by the many sleeping bodies from the night before. Silentsong could almost imagine her nest was still warm from when Zephyrfang had risen, though she was certain that was just her imagination. The nest did smell like him, and that was more than enough for the she-cat to lull herself into an easy sleep, comforted by her mate's imagined presence.

She woke with a start some time later, a commotion and a rather alarmed outcry rousing her from the light sleep. Blinking in alarm, she registered a rather disgruntled warrior mutter about something with tail lashing and- Finchpaw? Her hazel-green eyes widened in surprise, the she-cat's body shifting as though to rise. Silentsong had intended to scold her son, for he should not be in the warrior's den until he earned his own warrior name, but something stopped her.

The flattening of his ears. The absence of his usual self-assured smile. The way he crawled toward her, on his belly like a young kit desperately searching out the comfort of his mother. And the noise, the helpless mewl of a lost kit.

Her jaw hung open slightly, ears pressed forward as her eyes desperately scanned the entrance. She half expected a badger to come charging in after Finchpaw, her heart clenched in anticipation. But her gaze didn't stay there much longer, drawn to her long-limbed son as he nuzzled against her, seeking to hide himself from the world around them. Without second thought, the tortoiseshell mother began furiously licking her son between the ears, pressing her nose to his cheek every now and again.

A gentle vibration bloomed to existence in her throat, the she-cat purring comfortingly in an attempt to help him calm down. Nosing him again affectionately but obviously concerned, her eyes glinted with something akin to sorrow. Oh, my poor baby... What has stolen your beautiful smile? She thought to herself.

Word Count: ~340 words Tags: Taxx Notes: </3 </3 </3

[Taxx]

Finchpaw

So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory

Finchpaw didn’t care nearly as much as he knew he should about bothering the warriors lying around the den; his only thought was to reach his mother. Nothing else registered- not the irritated grumble of the warrior whose tail he stepped on, or the somewhat louder comment on the audacity of apprentices disturbing well-earned rest. Only Silentsong. Straight to her he went, curling himself into the nest she shared with Zephyrfang, pressing his face into her mottled shoulder as he curled tightly as possible- wishing that it were possible to go back in time to when he was three times smaller and could tuck himself easily into the curve of her body, safe and secure- feeling that no matter what, she would always look out for him.

That part of his life was over and there was no going back. Now when he made mistakes, there was no protective queen to stand at his side and keep a Clanmate from being too harsh. His father couldn’t wave away a complaint against him by arguing that he was just a kit, promising that he’d learn. He was old enough, he ought to know better.

The rasp of his mother’s tongue against the fur between his ears made the longing for that easier half of his life stronger. He melted into it, eyes closing fully, grateful for the love Silentsong so readily showed, grateful that she wasn’t the sort to make him come to terms with his misery on his own. For the briefest moment, the unwelcome thought that she was just pretending, just acting as though she cared, invaded. Finchpaw pushed it away. She couldn’t be. Her affection had never once faltered, and he felt guilty even considering that she didn’t love him- and Thornpaw and Zephyrfang- as much as she seemed to.

She was purring, breaking off her grooming every so often to touch her nose to his cheek. She was asking about it- wondering why he was acting this way. What was he supposed to tell her? He was still reeling from the words Amberwing had used. “I should have listened to Zephyrfang,” he started, the words a bit muffled by Silentsong’s fur. “About Amberwing. I’m such a mouse-brain, mother. I just thought… like you and Zephyrfang, I thought we could have something special. I asked her.”

His voice dropped to a whisper, ears folding ever tighter to his head as the scathing voice of the gray she-cat rang through his mind again. “She said she was disgusted by me.” You repulse me, you make my fur crawl. No, it wasn’t the fact that she had refused his advances- after all, it was her choice if she wanted to be with him. What had hurt him was the way she had done it, the words she had used.

“I’m not that bad, am I?” He didn’t care how kit-like the question was. He needed the confirmation, needed to know from someone he cared for that he hadn’t somehow been completely oblivious to the fact that he had misjudged every cat he’d interacted with, when he’d apparently been so blind in the face of Amberwing’s complete loathing.

Justice
BlooRey DVD

Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must FIGHT just to keep them ALIVE