[Fae Magic]

He broke into a run; large paws clumsy as they scrambled along the dirt path ahead of him. The bright ball of the setting sun ahead of him was what he chased down. Eyes bright with delight and exhilaration he rushed towards it even if he knew he could never catch or outrun the sun. It did not matter to him though as he ran straight for the ball of setting sun that was slowly creeping it's way down past the hills and trees; the sky a beautiful shade of all sorts of colors. From dark blue bleeding into the colors of orange pink and red as it grew closer to the ground. Ah, what a pretty sight! Tigerpaw grinned to himself and halted his senseless mad run to chase down the sun and stood on a hill to stare at the pretty sight in front of him.

"Wow." he sighed grinning like a loon as his big amber eyes like the tigers he was named after stared down at the valley below.

He took one more look at the land below before looking up at the sky where the first stars were peaking through the colorful sky and tilted his head wondering if his ancestors were watching him right now. He didn't know his ancestors. Well, except his father...was his father looking down at him and was he proud of the young apprentice his son had become?

"I promised you I'd be the best I could be didn't I dad? Well, I'm keeping that promise! Lionpaw and Firepaw don't understand my dedication but I think they just miss you...I know I do. But don't worry! I'll take care of them for you! I maybe the baby of the family but you and mom always taught me age didn't matter! We take care of each other. That's our jobs. I'll make sure I'll take good care of them even if they don't want to do anything with me. I know they are mad because of me trying to take your place..." he frowned with a sad look in his eyes.

"But that's okay, I'll make sure we will get it fixed soon! It'll take time but I got it all down planned! I'll focus on my training so that I can succeed and make you and them proud papa!" he spoke up to the moon that started appearing in the darkening sky.

He smiled to himself as he saw the stars growing in numbers; his wild imagination making him think that his ancestors were joining his father to listen to him talk to him. Tigerpaw missed his father dearly and would often talk to the moon as if he was speaking to his father before going to bed. Tonight though, he was feeling a bit more adventurous and wanted to take a walk in the darkness of the territory as the world turned dark with the night. The sunset now gone and the moon and stars out and about he happily started down the hillside; using his sharp eyes and ears to make sure he as alright as he headed down the sharp hillside that was littered with rocks and bushes. He didn't have a destination in mind; he only knew he wanted to go walk somewhere.

He was so curious and so intrigued by the territory in the darkness that he didn't realize that he was not alone. He didn't pick up the sound of paw steps around him until it was too late and he spun around; unable to flee or hide like he would have. His first instinct was to flee before his brain clicked and he chastised himself for his cowardly response and instead grew hot and hostile a moment in defense. That was until his eyes landed on the last person he figured would be out here. He relaxed and sighed looking a bit sheepish as he settled down and looked down at his paws with a small sheepish smile.

"Sorry about that, I wasn't expecting anyone else to be out here...are you gonna tell Whitehawk I was out here by myself?" he looked up at his clan mate looking a bit guilty.

He wasn't sure if he was supposed to be out so late at night by himself as he was still young; but he wanted to explore so he went out by himself. He didn't even know if anyone knew he had left or gone by himself. He wasn't sure if anyone saw him. Granted, someone apparently did since his clan mate was out here too.

"What uh...what brings you out here tonight?" he tried playing it off and starting a conversation hoping that he wasn't in trouble and get tattled on.

[KARAZHAL]

Ever since his naming ceremony three days prior, a certain gray tom occupied his time by getting his bearings and taking in Valiantstride's advice. The faithful golden tabby had spent many more moons than he under Hawkstar's rule, so he imparted all the information he knew regarding the leadership of StoneClan. The matte-gray tom thought it would be impossible to memorize it all, but he found that he recalled the knowledge easily when he needed to and that he didn't need to worry about anything. He already performed many of the leader's tasks before he'd even been given his name. The hardest part was grasping the gravity of knowing everyone looked to him for orders and guidance. It was one thing when he could simply refer a cat to Hawkstar or Smokestar for a better answer; it was another when he was the end-all be-all. It was he who had to be the disciplinarian for his tribe now.

Birdstar had been following the apprentice from the very moment he'd stepped paw past the guarded entryway. He'd stood atop the piled boulders where StoneClan made their home, and held out his paw when the guard belatedly glimpsed Tigerpaw and made to call out to him. Birdstar motioned for the guard to let him pass and ordered him to inform Whitehawk of what was going on. With a flick of his tail, the pure gray tom slipped into growing shadows of dusk and tracked the apprentice by scent primarily. Then, ahead he heard voices, and Birdstar looked around some scrub to oversee what Tigerpaw was doing. His gaze flicked from the little tom up to the sprawling stars above, and Birdstar let out a low breath through his nostrils, smiling faintly. He could not fault the tom for his piety to StarClan. He didn't want to punish Tigerpaw for speaking to his ancestors, not when it clearly comforted him. Instead, Birdstar carefully observed the area around the apprentice, making sure that no snakes were taking advantage of the tom's inattentiveness on his surroundings. He slipped behind the scrub and glimpsed a bull snake slithering around, but it wasn't heading toward Tigerpaw so he didn't kill it. He followed it for a few pawsteps, causing it to speed up and sidewind out of sight into its burrow.

However, this caused Tigerpaw to whip around. Their eyes met, emerald gleaming in its reflective membrane. Birdstar stared Tigerpaw down, hoping the apprentice realized that if he'd been a predator, he would be in more trouble. The sheepish remark was met with raised eyebrows.

"He's already been informed," Birdstar responded calmly.

He slowly walked up to Tigerpaw and let out a soft sigh at the young tom's attempt at playing it off. "As a warrior in my own right, I am permitted to be out here alone. You, as an apprentice, are not." He kept his voice level, remembering how much he'd dreaded these kinds of confrontations in his own youth.

"I can fend for myself out here, Tigerpaw. There are threats out here. I followed you to keep you safe, but while you were busy communing with StarClan--a trait I honor--I could have been a hawk and thrown you clear off that cliff into the valley. Are we going to make this a habit?" he asked gently.

TAGGED FOR Fae Magic
OOC "That was until his eyes landed on the last person he figured would be out here" -- ah yes, it's birdstar }:)

[Fae Magic]

Tigerpaw hoped that he wouldn't be in too much trouble going out by himself. He just wanted some time to talk to his father much like he did every night since his passing. It was still a fresh wound to heal for him even if he acted like he had moved on. That and of course he put too much faith in the safety of the borders of his territory. He knew he was probably foolish for going out by himself but he hadn't been stopped before by the guards if they had seen him or not. He hadn't planned on staying out long anyways...just a short stroll through the forest under cover of night and talking with his dead parents. But, he hadn't expected to find company; least of all their newly appointed leader Birdstar. After the death of their previous leader in that terrible mudslide he knew the life of the clan would change but he hoped for the better. Birdtalon had always been a kind and noble tom as far as Tigerpaw had seen of him and he knew he'd be a good leader someday. He just...didn't expect it so soon. He hadn't had the courage to talk to the gray tom and preferred to stay back with his apprentice friends and have fun.

It was a surprise to find it was Birdstar who had come out here after him though. Was he going to get in trouble with his leader for this? Birdstar was a fair judge after all but that didn't mean he'd let Tigerpaw sneaking out go completely how else would he still be able to keep his grip on the clan if he kept letting stuff like this slide. The young apprentice knew that more than anyone. When amber eyes met the other's he gave a sheepish look before looking down at his paws and slumping a bit as the older tom came to sit beside him.

"No...I don't make it to be a habit Birdstar." he mumbled. "It's just...Every night I like talking to them before I go to bed." he looked up at the stars above them. "After my father died...it became a nightly routine." he added. "I really miss him." he sighed looking at the older tom. 

"I know I probably shouldn't have come out here by myself without saying anything...I hope Whitehawk won't be mad...and please don't punish him for what I did since he didn't know anything about it...I'll what whatever you want to give me as punishment though...even if it is taking care of the Elder's fleas." he winced just thinking of the gross mouse bile he'd have to endure for a few hours at best having to take care of the elders.

In all honesty Tigerpaw held the older generation to high regard. Especially the elders as they were the wisest of the clan as far as Tigerpaw was concerned minus the leader of course. The elders had made their lives long ago and experienced far more then the leader of the clan ever could at the younger ages. So the tabby wouldn't mind getting to sit there listening to stories from the elders or just playfully bickering with them as he often did with everyone. Wisdom was a gift to the world and the Elders held the secrets that not alot of the younger generation knew. 

"Did I cause any trouble tonight?...why'd you come out here instead of getting a warrior or one of the guards to chase me down if you saw me leaving?" he asked curiously watching the other tom.

KARAZHAL

[KARAZHAL]

The spring night sapped the warmth of StoneClan's flat territory. There was not a tree for miles, just beautiful rock formations--columns, archways, and plateaus pockmarked with places for cats and prey to hide. StoneClan kept their territory well-marked to deter outsiders; it seemed to work on cats for the most part, but there were plenty of creatures who ignored the warning, either taking it as an exciting challenge or being too stupid to pay attention. The coyotes and snakes were some of StoneClan's greatest nocturnal threats. Like LightningClan's terrain, there wasn't much protective cover. If you were caught out in the open, you had to hope a burrow or a tall enough boulder was nearby until you could be rescued.

Birdstar studied the pale ginger and white tabby carefully, trying to determine if Tigerpaw was lying to him or not. The smaller tom did not meet his eyes and seemed guilty enough. He listened without interrupting, however; he was reminded of his own angst over his sister, except that he had locked himself to his own bed instead of going outside. "Your father was a good tom. I miss him too," he replied, fondly remembering the warrior he'd gone on patrols with.

"If you disappeared out here, eaten by a coyote never to return, how would you answer to your brothers? To Whitehawk? There are better solutions to communing with StarClan than disobeying the Clan and putting yourself in danger. All actions have consequences...even if you don't realize it immediately."

The matte-gray tom's fur resembled a nighttime cloud illuminated from behind by the moon. Soft pale light slanted across his ears and face, causing his shadow to stretch long across the pebbled ground. "It is the leader's duty to guide those who have strayed. I could not take away the guard from his duty, nor Whitehawk from his rest. I, too, was gazing upon the stars and moon from the comfort of camp, at the very highest boulder." Birdstar drew himself up onto all-fours and flicked his tail, wordlessly ordering Tigerpaw to come with him. "When we return, you will take my spot and commune with StarClan as much as you like, without rest. Sacrificing sleep will be your punishment. At dawn, you will resume your apprentice duties with Whitehawk--no complaints and no more unsupervised wanderings." Birdstar turned his head to fix his eyes on Tigerpaw, making sure the tom understood.

TAGGED FOR Fae Magic
OOC birdstar's like "are you that eager to reunite with your father in starclan?"

[Fae Magic]

He knew birdstar was right of course. Tigerpaw was stupid for running off like that. He didn't have the size or skill right now to defend himself if something like that had happened to him. If a bird wanted to swoop in to snag him into the air to go make him as a meal for their babies or a coyote decided it wanted an apprentice for it's nightly snack. He wouldn't have had the brains to think about what to do. He had already proven he wasn't ready to fight anyone face on from just the fact that his first instinct was to run instead of fight when he realized he wasn't alone before realizing who it was that had found him. He looked guilty enough as he peered up at Birdstar and gave him a half smile that hid a bit of sadness but hopefulness in there too. He was glad at least that he didn't have to deal with the elders for his punishment. Even if it was to have a day's lack of sleep. But wouldn't he have had the same amount of sleep if he had just returned to camp after his visit? He'd have to be up anyways not long after he'd have gotten back home. 

He sighed and gave his leader a nod of agreement that he understood his punishment and his words before standing up with the tom and looked out at the scenery and stars once more. 

"I don't try to cause trouble you know that Birdstar...it's just..sometimes I feel as if I'm trying to fill someone else's paw steps that are too big for me to fit and no matter how I try...I seem to screw things up or get in trouble because of it. If I'm following my father's paw steps to be a great warrior like him...does that mean I'm going to fail along the way and never become what he once was?" he asked looked at the leader as he followed him off the hillside back towards camp.

"Lionpaw and Firepaw don't speak with me anymore all that much after my father died...is it my fault too? Did I push them away because I wanted to be like our father so much?" he asked feeling a bit down.

He wasn't trying to get out of punishment but it made him think for a second with his head instead of just running off like he usually did. He wanted to be someone so great...but at what cost? Would his mentor hate him in the future for whatever crap he decided to do? Would his brothers end up completely disowning him if he continued down the path he was on...and if he decided to try and be himself instead of trying to live for his father, how much would he lose? His ears lay flat on his head the more he thought about it. His gaze looked from the leader to the stars wondering if his dad was proud of him or disappointed for always getting into trouble. 

"Am I a trouble maker? Like, I don't know...the failure of the clan or something? I mean, if you think about it. I'm pretty much the outcast that no one seems to understand..no matter how nice I am I never gain close friends. No matter how hard I try to be something big I end up messing up or breaking rules. What am I? I believe everyone has a place and a duty in this clan...that everyone has a purpose...so what's mine? What makes me special and different then others in the clan?" he suddenly asked looking towards Birdstar as they walked with the stars and the open sky above them.

KARAZHAL

[KARAZHAL]

Birdstar lingered, one paw raised to go while his head stayed turned back on Tigerpaw, making sure the ginger tabby was following him. As the little tabby tom voiced his concerns, confessing that he was trying so hard to be like someone else, Birdstar's eyes softened and he smiled gently at the apprentice.

"It's okay to admire someone, but you aren't them so you have to think about your own strengths. You're trying so hard to keep up with someone who already became a warrior. As an apprentice, you have to think about how you'll hone your qualities and polish yourself into a future warrior of StoneClan. Lionpaw and Firepaw are probably trying to be strong in their own rights. When an apprentice wants to get strong, sometimes they'll step back from anything they consider a distraction," he explained. He was reminded of his own brother, Cloudtail. His brother had gained his warrior name before him and had made no effort to help Birdpaw along the way, despite the fact that Birdpaw had been grieving so heavily over their littermate, Redpaw.

"Instead of trying to be like your father, you should become a tom your father would be proud to be clanmates with," Birdstar said. "Your father respected accountability, loyalty, and integrity in others." He let Tigerpaw ruminate on that while they walked in the direction of camp.

He did not hate his own father, but Silentstrike was not a tom worth having a relationship with. He kept his father at a fox-length's distance whenever possible so even though Tigerpaw's father was dead, Birdstar was glad the boy had a much better bond than he did. Although he did not want to blow Tigerpaw off, the gray tom couldn't help but let out a chirp of laughter. "Failure of the Clan? You're still an apprentice, Tigerpaw!" he protested. "Give yourself more credit. No matter if we sit at the top of the mountain or at the very base, we are all stones. We are strong, and we are enduring." Birdstar stopped at the base of the boulder hill that formed their camp. His hindquarters wriggled, and then he leapt up to the next grassy level, digging sharp claws as he navigated his way to the top.

The hillock's open top was the primary source of sunlight in the daytime. Birdstar made sure not to fall through. He picked a flat shelf that accomodated most of his body and tucked in his legs. "Listening to what you've told me makes me think you can benefit with a different style of training. You should wait and listen for the right moment in everything you do--whether it's striking or pouncing or even speaking in an argument--and then you must respond decisively when that moment comes. Do you think you can work on that in your training sessions with Whitehawk?" he asked. "Instead of thinking about what sets you apart in the Clan, ask yourself 'how can I contribute to the Clan when I grow up?' We all have our special skills and abilities, that's true, but what matters more is how we keep the Clan prosperous together."

TAGGED FOR Fae Magic
OOC imagine birdstar singing this cover to tigerpaw

[Fae Magic]

Despite the leader's words the ginger tabby felt as if he had to be do, be more then he was. He worked so hard to being someone like his father he didn't even know if he'd be able to adjust to finding who he was himself. Be someone his father would be proud of instead of acting like his father. Well, that'd save him some issues with his brothers for sure. They hated it when Tigerpaw tried acting out like their dad. He got where the tom was coming from though, he just knew it'd be a bit harder to get used to changing his act around. Maybe he'll need some extra help with how childish and how much of an airhead he could be sometimes but maybe it was worth it. His gaze turned back to the sky wondering if his dad would be okay if he changed? 

"Okay Birdstar! I'll take it as a challenge then! To change for myself instead of trying to be like my dad. I just have to remind myself that my father loved me no matter who I was. I will just have to focus on being myself instead of being my dad. I might take longer then my brothers to become a warrior but being a warrior isn't just having a new name and experience comes with time." he told him with a firm nod and a new determination in his gaze as he looked at the older tom. 

"I'll tell Dad all about my plans when I'm sitting up there on that stone tonight. Maybe one day I'll have enough experience and wisdom to be like you." he smiled. "Of course not exactly like you or else that's defeating the purpose of trying to be myself. But still be able to have others look up to me and respect me for who I am and what I bring to them as a clan and as a friend. I want to be that one someone can come to to talk if needed and to help solve problems because I got either the experience or the open mind to go with a kind heart to help out my fellow clanmates." he amended.

He slipped past his leader off the rock and stretched his limbs out one by one before heaving a long sigh and shaking himself. Turning towards the leader not shy any longer as he took his leader's words to heart. He reminded himself no matter how small he was still a stone that held up a mountain and that was something he needed to remind himself more often when he felt like he wasn't doing his best. 

"I'll race yah back to camp Birdstar! And then I'll make sure you're well guarded tonight when you sleep!" he gave him a big boyish grin before turning tail and running into the woods; pausing briefly at the edge to make sure his leader was following him before he disappeared again into the darkness towards camp.

KARAZHAL