[Deleted]

WARRIOR | TREECLAN | 19 MOONS

The wind was strong, tearing through Treeclan territory like a stampeding herd, thundering like the hooves of a thousand horses. The gusts were icy, and the patches of fur that were slowly growing back on Rocktail's body had never felt so cold. The mange had manifested behind her ears, small patches on her belly, and spots up and down her legs. Thanks to Falconstorm, her fur had started growing back, but she looked like a kit growing out of her childhood fluff. I can't complain. She thought with a skip in her step. My fur is starting to grow back! I almost forgot what being itch-free felt like until recently. The grey and white she-cat had spent the morning in the training hollow with the apprentices. Some of the mentors thought it would be best for them to take on a fresh warrior, and Rocktail readily volunteered.

She was quite impressed, and it was good fun despite their jests.

Rocktail was still self-conscious about her appearance, though despite her insecurity, she hid her despondence regarding the issue quite well. It'll be all gone soon. She told herself, heading back towards camp. Falconstorm said in a moon or two it'll all be a thing of the past! Rocktail slipped through the trees, meowing a brief greeting to a hunting patrol as they walked by. When she saw the entrance, she couldn't help but pop into a jog, slipping into camp eagerly. Her eyes had to adjust to the dark of the tree hollow, though when they did, she could make out many cats finding comfort in the warm confines of camp. She was famished, but noticed the fresh-kill pile was completely empty.

Her heart dropped to her toes. She felt like she was going to implode.

Well that's just great! She huffed to herself, dreading heading back out into the cold. She stood halfway between the entrance and the fresh-kill pile, lost in contemplation. Where to go? Open woods might be a good place to start? Maybe get lucky with a rabbit from Lightningclan territory? Rocktail turned to head out of camp, but her paws felt like boulders. I'll warm up a bit first. She decided, slipping over to a small group of younger warriors.

"Anyone interested in hunting over in the Open Woods?" Rocktail offered, whiskers twitching. She felt their gazes bore into her pelt, their eyes drawn to the places her mange once infested. Who cares? It's healing! She convinced herself, shuffling nervously and drawing her gaze away from theirs. She didn't know anyone too closely in the group, and her pelt burned from what felt like the light of a million eyes. Surely there were some offhand comments regarding her condition, though she ignored them. Eventually her gaze found its way back to one of the warriors.

I hope at least someone agrees. She mused, a knowing smile creasing her lips. But they're probably scared I'm contagious.

Maybe she could use that to her advantage?

PAIN INTO POWER

Rocktail

Word Count: 510
Tags: Fawn
Notes: xxx

[Fawn]

Brackenstride

TreeClan || 15 Moons || Tom

Rocktail's appearance was about as boring as her name. Maybe that was why Brackenstride hadn't noticed her right away - not until she started speaking, and a lazy gold gaze swept from the eager face of Oakpaw, Yewfang and Silverwind to settle on this new addition to their crowd.

"Anyone interested in hunting over in the Open Woods?"

"I might be," spoke the new warrior, pride and self-satisfaction evident in the way he carried himself, in every word he spoke. Brackenstride looked her over, remembering all too clearly the skin condition she'd suffered from late into her apprenticeship - and early on in his. He'd given her a wide berth (who hadn't?), and though her fur had obviously grown back in time for leafbare, those lingering fears of catching mange had the group hesitating to snatch up Rocktail's offer.

What mousehearts, Brackenstride thought. Falconstorm wouldn't have given the she-cat the all clear to resume her apprenticeship training or her warrior duties if their medicine cat thought she could spread it to everyone else. Falconstorm was not his brother, per say, but Honeysong had raised Falconstorm and his littermates well before he'd been born; that gave him a certain authority that Brackenstride respected.

With a languid stretch that put his musculature on display, the golden warrior got to his paws. "Looks like it'll just be you and me." Yewfang and Silverwind hadn't spoken up, and he assumed the two she-cats would go their own way once the little group had dispersed. Brackenstride smirked. He enjoyed talking to Silverwind only for how much it irritated her brother, Tigerstripe. Their rivalry was something he could do without, but since Tigerstripe had started it... Well, he wasn't going to ignore a challenge, was he? Brackenstride's pulse hummed at the thought of fighting the large tiger-striped warrior. Hunting sounded boring by comparison, but one look at the fresh kill pile told him what his priorities should be.

The last thing he wanted was an interjection from Lionstar or Gorsetail, who thought keeping him busy was the best way to fix his attitude.

"I'll go too." Oakpaw announced, the young tom's eyes shining. He'd been following Brackenstride ever since his warrior ceremony; it had been fun at first, having someone recognize his hard work and plump his ego daily, but the apprentice was starting to feel like a tick he couldn't get rid of.

"Don't you have training?" Brackenstride asked, flicking an ear at Oakpaw's crestfallen expression. He muttered something about his mentor being busy, but Brackenstride only snorted. "Fine, just keep quiet and keep up. There's a good chance we'll run into some LightningClan cats while we're there." Brackenpaw's eyes gleamed. "If a fight breaks out, I don't want you getting in my way."

✣

@jet || 451 Words || Notes