[Ginger]

Bright green eyes flashed open with excitement. While Goldenpaw and Sunnyheart had done a fair amount of exploring LightningClan during training, there was a lot that the large she-cat had yet to see and learn.

Gracefully exiting the apprentice's den, Goldenpaw sauntered over to where she and Sunnyheart usually met before heading out to train. Upon spotting his large form there already, the she-cat perked up a bit more and rushed over to him. "Good morning, Sunnyheart," she called out to him in a sing-song voice. 

"What is it we will be doing today?" Of course, the she-cat knew that they were to be seeing the rest of LightningClan's territory, but there was still much left to be said of what it is she would get to learn about today. Maybe Sunnyheart would give her extra lessons on how to fight entire patrols. Maybe he would teach her how to hear prey from a world away. There was much to learn, and so little time to learn it.

---

168 words
Hellion

[Hellion]

Love doesn't discriminate
Between the sinners and the saints,
it takes and it takes and it takes

Sharing a brief conversation with his sister Cloudyfeather about his young kits. Sunnyheart's full attention went to Goldenpaw upon her arrival. Returning her polite greeting with a nod of his head, Sunnyheart refrained from reply until he took a moment to say farewell to his sister.

His cheek brushing against her's, he watched his sister leave and return toward the nursery. Now able to address his apprentice, Sunnyheart rose to his paws.

"Good morning, I have only one thing planned for today but I think it will be worth it," He paused, taking a moment to direct her to follow him out of camp and on a well-worn path. One that was often taken by those venturing to the StoneClan border.

"Today we will visit the StoneClan border and discuss the long history between our Clans. It's important that we know it so that we can learn from it," After his small speech, Sunnyheart gave a signal turning their walking pace to that of a light trot as he led her toward the border.

Sunnyheart

background image | @tag | table by phoenix

[Ginger]

StoneClan's border? Interesting choice seeing as StoneClan was likely the least fiery clan in the entire valley. Likely intentional.

With a slight shrug of her shoulders, Goldenpaw trudged along after Sunnyheart. Any learning was better than no learning. StoneClan might actually be a valuable clan to study, seeing as they had been remaining peaceful during the rising tensions among the clans. It seemed that StoneClan's name had been given to it for a reason. In everything that was stirring, StoneClan cats remained solid and strong, an anchor to the chaos. 

It was actually pretty cool. Maybe a history lesson on StoneClan's and LightningClan's relationship may not be such a bad thing. How would Goldenpaw ever expect to make history without first knowing it? If she knew nothing of her own history, she would be subject to making the same mistakes her ancestors had once made, whatever those mistakes were. 

"Did something happen between StoneClan and Lightningclan?"

---

156 words
Hellion

[Hellion]

Love doesn't discriminate
Between the sinners and the saints,
it takes and it takes and it takes

He slowed their travel just as they crested a hill. The one near the border that gave a fairly decent view of the area. A suitable place for a bit of history without having to worry they were discovered by another patrol.

"RainClan was involved as well, it happened before I was a part of LightingClan. I only knew about it from nursery stories," He paused, sitting down to be more comfortable.

"The medicine cats and leaders of both LightingClan and RainClan came together. It was decided that the two clans would merge to create StormClan and chase out StoneClan." While he had no role in the war he spoke up, Sunnyheart's stomach dropped. The idea of being chased from his home filled him. His kits would-be victims likely harmed in the chaos of it all. While he had to accept there had to be a reason behind it, Sunnyheart refused to consider the moment anything dignified. The war itself is but a dark stain on the history of all Clans involved.

"StoneClan was gone for a while but they came back. However, it didn't end there. As you may know, we are determined and steadfast. It's hard for us to give up without a fight and so it started. He fought a lot. Minor border fights and few raids." Sunnyheart used his tail to point out the sunstones that marked the border between the Clans.

"It all came to a head when StoneClan decided to take back the sunstones. Mapleheart was there, Firesky's daughter. She died, a StoneClan cat killed her. I carried her home," A knot formed in Sunnyheart's throat. An image of Mapleheart's broken body at his paws was enough to churn his stomach. The weight of her on his back as he took her home. Anguished cries from both Firestar, her name at the time, and her mate Russetfall. Sunnyheart's memory remained as vivid as ever. It was the first time he saw the light of love fade from another cat's eyes.

"Of course we retaliated. We had to avenge Mapleheart, but StarClan had other plans. A fire started. I lost my father Flashbrook in the blaze. Burningleaf, my other dad, died a few days later. It seemed it was our punishment." He paused once more, struggling to find the right words. It would be unfair to blame his fathers' death on Firesky's rage. The fire could've happened anywhere. However, no matter how often he told himself that, anger still sat in the darkest pit of his heart. The desire to blame someone making it impossible to cast it away entirely.

"Revenge is never a good reason to go to war Goldenpaw. If you must fight, do so to protect the ones you love or to uphold our warrior code. Never because you feel wrongs. Clawing at the eyes of your enemy will only make you both blind," Shifting his attention away from the sunstones and toward the young she-cat at his side, he found a small smile to share.

"Promise me you will do your best to do the right thing. Even if it's difficult."

Sunnyheart

background image | Ginger | table by phoenix

[Ginger]

Goldenpaw's eyes widened more and more as Sunnyheart narrated the twists and turns of the dark history among LightningClan, RainClan, and StoneClan. As Sunnyheart began to describe his own personal experiences, including carrying Mapleheart back to camp, Goldenpaw let her tail rest reassuringly on her mentor's.

Here Sunnyheart was, not a very old warrior, speaking of a Great War that he took part in. It was all so...recent. Goldenpaw felt sick.

"It's terrifying how far the clans will go in the name of hate." And it was still happening today. TreeClan and NightClan, simply because of old hatred that could never die, were on the verge of war. She shuddered at the tension she had witnessed at the Gathering. Even apprentices from both clans, most of whom had not even seen cats from other clans before, were hissing at each other. 

At Sunnyheart's request, Goldenpaw sat up more fully. "I promise." Not only to do the right thing. "I promise...to do my best to ensure that the right thing gets done everywhere."

---

174 words
Hellion