[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

Time and again boys are raised to be men "Birchspots will be your mentor." He felt a little dizzy as Skypaw turned to him with an outstretched nose, that little bob-tailed kit that was notorious for bombarding the entire camp with his insatiable curiosity. For a moment, he felt rooted to the spot, a slight bristle on his shoulder betraying his alarm. The responsibility of mentorship was not something he had ever expected to be given, especially not now that he had proven how distantly his heart lay. He touched his smooth pink nose to Skypaw's, swallowing back his own surprise. "W-we'll make a good team." He mewed, wishing he felt as confident as he tried to sound. He hadn't the faintest idea why Redstar had chosen him when the Clan had numerous better cats who could show Skypaw how to be a warrior. He gave his new apprentice a sideways glance while Redstar continued to speak, his heart pricking as he sensed the excitement or anticipation radiating from the younger cat. He was the same, when he was first named Birchpaw. His eyes hardened with determination. He was not going to be like Tawnybelly. Skypaw would enjoy his apprentice moons, or at least look back on them without anxiety or regret. He owed Skypaw that, at the very least. As the cats around him began to depart, Birchspots took a deep breath and turned to Skypaw with a wry grin. "You ready to see the rest of your home?" He asked, his worries fading with every word. He knew what to do. He could hunt, and somewhat fight, he knew every pawstep of the moors and being a young warrior, he still understood what it was like to be Skypaw's age, the newness of everything, delight at the prospect of learning new skills. He stood, the crisp Newleaf air misting from his mouth. I can do this. Impatient they start and fearful they end words: 309 / tags: @hellion BIRCHSPOTS

[Hellion]

I'll be there someday, I can go the distance. I will find my way if I can be strong.

Skypaw

His bobbed tail fluttered, ears twitched with unspent energy. The longer he had to sit there listening to Redstar, the harder it became to sit still. As a custom, he hadn't been permitted to venture far from camp. The few trips he did go on were closely supervised by his parents. 'Do not go too far Skykit, stay where I can see you,' Even the thought of them pulled forth the sounds of his parents' voices. His nose twitched.

Now with -paw at the end of his name he had the freedom never before given to him. He could venture out of camp without permission, travel to the edges of their territory and beyond. While he wouldn't go too far just yet, Skypaw already had it planned out. He'd learn the basics from Birchspots, who seemed like a decent mentor. Then when the time was right, he'd leave.

Brought out of his daydream by Birchspot's question, Skypaw eyes blinked a few more times as he re-focused. "Uh yeah," He answered, electing not to mention that didn't think LightningClan much of a home. His place of birth sure, where his family lived yes, but a place he called his own and protected? No. He hadn't found that yet. LightingClan and the way of Clan life didn't sit well with him from the start. The world too vast and exciting to be spent in the confines of borders made by cats no longer alive.

Not yet ready to state his feelings so boldly, Skypaw kept them to himself. He rose to his paws, waiting for Birchspots to lead him.

- ♥ -

I know every mile would be worth my while. When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong.

Words: 000 / Tags: ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

Time and again boys are raised to be men He could remember those first moments of stepping beyond the camp boundary, blinking in the light. Birchpaw had not been quite so restless to explore as Skypaw. The small silver tabby tom had trailed in the shadow of his imposing mentor, surrounded by the uncertainty of open territory. He felt like he could be seen by hostile eyes miles away, and his paws had quickened pace in an attempt to keep up with his marching, sullen mentor. Birchspots had come a long way from when he was that meek little tiny tom. He knew every pawstep of the moor, where every tunnel entrance lay, every rock and where the rabbits liked to construct their warrens. And today was the day when he would show all of it to his first apprentice. His golden eyes flickered down to the brown tabby, his short tufted tail so much like that of a deer that it was almost comical the way it bobbed or flicked. Birchspots could sense the restlessness radiating off of the other cat in pulses. It was like Skypaw couldn't wait to get away, to streak across the moor as fast as he could. As a kit, he'd always been a bit of an explorer, hadn't he? Clarity bloomed in Birchspots's eyes. Skypaw turned to him as if he had just remembered his mentor was there, distracted and distant. Skypaw sat and waited for Birchspots to take the lead, impatience apparent in his eager features. The silver tabby warrior shook his head and took a step back. "This is your day, Skypaw." He assured. "You lead, I can follow. I'll tell you about the places we come across as we explore." He promised, smiling softly. He hoped trying to adapt for his apprentice was the right thing to do. He assumed that by doing this, it would at least make Skypaw explore at his own pace rather than having to be towed behind his more slow-moving mentor. Impatient they start and fearful they end words: 327 / tags: Hellion BIRCHSPOTS

[Hellion]

I'll be there someday, I can go the distance. I will find my way if I can be strong.

Skypaw

His ears perked and excitement grew in his chest. He didn't need to be reminded again, taking off quickly. He went for it, a brisk trot to set the pace. Luckily for him, Sunnyheart had taught him the local area, the places nearest to camp. While he wasn't allowed to venture out of camp without a parent or clanmate, Skypaw went often in his kithood days to the point most looked for him outside of camp before in the nursery. Thankful as ever that his antics didn't result in punishment, Skypaw knew where his knowledge ended and quickly sought out those places.

He headed for what he could assume was the border between TreeClan and LightningClan. Stories told to him of StoneClan made him wary of venturing there right away. In fact, he'd be happy not to go there at all on this day. His father spoke negatively enough about the area that Skypaw almost concerned it cursed ground.

Nearing over closer to the forest's edge, Skypaw slowed to a walk. Energized from the jog, he turned to glance back to look for Birchspots. "My dad told me about a fire here moons ago, but it hardly looks burned," Skypaw commented, paw pads pressing hard into the compacted dirt. He hadn't realized that he traveled the well-worn path to the border. It was strange to think of the area around him burned and without tall grasses to hide rabbits or their hunters. "Is it true that Firestar made the fire happen?"' He questioned further, stories told by elders of the battle that had angered StarClan enough to set fire to both StoneClan and LightiningClan was one often requested. Skypaw fresh out of the nursery remained ever curious for the truth.

- ♥ -

I know every mile would be worth my while. When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong.

Words: 000 / Tags: ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

[♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟]

Boys are raised to be men.

BIRCHSPOTS

[attr="class","birch"]

<sup>Birchspots watched with a smile playing across his small, silver face. Skypaw’s face had brightened instantly upon being given the freedom to explore. With brown tabby paws already determined to find new ground, he took off, trotting like a little deer. The silver tabby warrior followed behind, yellow eyes alert for potential threats as he kept pace with the excited young tom. “Always keep your senses alert for danger, even when you’re in a familiar place. Your ears, nose, eyes and fur are all tools you can use to help keep yourself and others safe.” He told his apprentice, his voice quiet. “You never know what could be nearby, and you don’t want to walk straight into trouble unprepared.” The pace was a little unnatural for him, he had a much slower gait, but he had promised to let Skypaw take the lead, and followed him diligently.

A spattering of trees could be viewed in the distance. Birchspots recognised them as the trees where Tawnybelly had insisted on getting him to climb to test his courage. His torn, silvery ear flicked uneasily. He never liked this place. It reminded him of being much smaller and more insecure. Skypaw, however, was clearly overcome with adventurous curiosity. His apprentice bounded forward without hesitation, only slowing when they neared the sparse forest. His eyes only found Birchspots as they arrived there, clearly waiting for his tour guide to feed him information. The dainty silver tom relaxed with a smile, realising that this place didn’t feel so oppressive when it was his job to introduce it to new eyes.

He nodded, turned to look around the forest, the smells of growth and vitality wafting in the air. It was hard to believe that a fire had caused so much death and destruction in a place that looked so rich and alive. “No matter how terrible a fire, life will always find a way to come back.” He murmured, admiring the flowers that sprouted cheerfully among the grasses, defiant to the snowmelt that still lay in some places on the earth. “Actually,” He noted, gesturing with his tail to a tree that was bustling with freshly budding leaves. “The elders tell me that it's believed everything seems to grow much richer here than it did before.” What Birchspots did not know, as he was a cat without scientific insight, was that the fire had caused nutrients from the surrounding plant life to be released into the soil, creating a rich medium for future plants to grow on despite the destruction. Around them were some hints at the damage that had once occurred, gnarled tree branches or a blackened strip of bark, but most of it was concealed by the diversity of plant life along the border.

Birchspots was surprised by the next question, turning to his inquisitive first student with a stunned blink. “N-No cat can say for sure.” He cautioned, not wanting to lie to Skypaw. The question had flustered him somewhat. “But I don’t believe that St-StarClan would ever turn on us like that. They’re our ancestors, and they love us and want to protect us.” He meowed, glancing up at the sky, which could be seen beyond the branches. “Sometimes terrible things happen that StarClan have no say in, and I believe that fire was probably one of them.” He turned back towards the trees, the scent of TreeClan drifting on the wind. “As you probably figured out,” He purred. “Our border with TreeClan lies deeper in these trees. Right now, this part of the forest belongs to us, but there are seasons where TreeClan try to push their borders outwards and claim this place.” He dipped his head. “But it’s been ours for a few seasons now. They’re probably too busy bickering with NightClan to think about us.”</sup>

Warrior
_{of LightningClan}

Hellion 637

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