day in paradise [Wildheart/open]

[Darkthorn]

Darkthorn

Well, it's ok. It's so nice
It's just another day in paradise

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His claws sunk into the soft soil just outside his nest as he dragged his exhausted body upright. Hey let out a tremendous yawn and shook his fur out. He'd been on the dawn patrol, and three hunting patrols the day before. The day before that he'd been on four hunting patrols. It was no exaggeration to say that he'd been severely disappointed to only return with a vole between the two days of patrols. There was no fish to be found in the frozen river surrounding their camp. And the rest of the territory was bare,as all the prey had burrowed deep under the thick snow to get away from the cold. He narrowed his eyes in frustration and dug his claws deeper into the soil. He turned and looked over his pelt, deciding that the few hours of sleep he'd managed this night hadn't made it any worse for the ware. He felt presentable enough. He moved forward sliding through the entrance careful not to tread on exhausted warriors around him. being part of Riverclan had it's advantages, such as in a typical winter, Riverclan rarely seemed to look as skinny as the other clans, for their typically thicker bodies and rich in fat diets of fish tended to offer them a greater expanse of body fat to hold them over through the leaf bare. But this leaf bare had been different. The clan had lost it's weight in the first few moons, and hadn't been able to gain it back. They were looking as skinny as the rest of the clans. Darkthorn for instance had his hip bones, shoulders, and spine protruded in an ugly fashion through his white and grey fur.

He paused in the early morning light and glanced toward the nursery. His kits were sure to be up, Sparrowkit for sure, maybe even Zerokit. He padded toward the nursery intent on greeting them before he began his duties. He attempted this every day, including trying to tuck them in, maybe even tell them a story, after he returned. he slid into the den taking care to hide his suspicions and apprehension from them all. He turned and slipped back out of the den and moved to the center of the clearing. He sat down pulling his haunches down and tucking his tail around his paws. He flicked his ears up and licked his lips. This was his favorite time of the day. The time before the birds woke, before the patrols went out and the clan awoke. It was silent. He closed his eyes and took in the silence around him. He felt the snow falling down past his ears, drifting lazily down but not without purpose. The snow piled up and caused distress for the warriors. It made hunting and tracking difficult and even fighting, if the situation called for it was hard in the fluffy ground.

He sighed and opened his eyes bringing himself crashing back to the world around him. The camp had begun to wake. He saw the dawn patrol head out and realized that he ad the opportunity to take Frostpaw out for some training. He flicked his ears and a smile lit his face, but his smile was not at the thought of his apprentice now, but of his first apprentice, Wildpaw, now Wildheart. He flicked his tail and glanced at the freshkill pile. Training could wait, he needed to help his clan, feed them. he needed to hunt. He looked around wondering if he could find Shimmerlilly, or Starlingpaw to go out with. He glanced again at the Apprentice den. Frostpaw could always use more hunting training. he thought but thought better of it. his apprentice deserved a rest. He glanced around the camp hoping someone would come find him, then he wouldn't have to take initiative, and he could hopefully blend in with the crowd.

Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be

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(Lyrics Credit to "Just Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Vasser)

[Wildheart]

Wildheart

[/color][/font][/size]

"Don’t let your victories go to your head,
or your failures go to your heart."

It was early, and yet the sun was persistent on rising. Wildheart reluctantly stood up from the grove of young willow trees; she had been lying in waiting and for anything to come by. She shook the leaf litter from her fur and gave herself a quick inspection. Satisfied with what she saw she started the short journey back to her clan, back to the warm nest that she knew awaited her. She purred in satisfaction at the thought of curling up content amongst the moss oh her soft bed; moss that she had tiringly cleaned out yesterday. It was unusual for Wildheart to not turn up to the Riverclan camp at nightfall, she had just been too bothered to enter the camp and talk with her clanmates. She had wanted peace and quiet, but her sister’s taunts still rung in her mind. Wildheart purr came to an abrupt halt and she narrowed her eyes in anger. She just never could understand why her sister was always so cruel to her; she had done nothing wrong, just because she was named a warrior first. No, she thought. It had all started when Wildheart had shown her dominance other her siblings.

She hissed out lowed in frustration, instantly regretting her outburst. She scowled, she had probably scared all the prey within miles of her. The opens plains in front of her were quiet, and that just made Wildheart angrier with herself. Her usual show of confidence was all but gone in her anger and pain. The open area was refreshing and a slight breeze ruffled the fur on Wildheart’s back. She hadn’t realised it, but the long black fur had been standing up all down her spin. With obvious strain she settled the fur down her spin. She gave it a quick lick making sure it stayed down. The breeze helped relax her slightly and she soon found her muscles ease and the tension in her neck went slack. The smells of her home came rushing to her, she inhales deeply breathing in all the scents of food and the many cats that lived in the camp. She hoped that the den wouldn’t be cold or wet, this Leafbare had been tough and she knew that the whole clan had suffered more than they usually would. You could see the signs of hunger that on a normal Leafbare they would not be there, a prominent bone or the show of ribs.

Wildheart watched as the dawn patrol raced out throw the entrance at an easy lope, she felt no longing to go with them. She loved to run and race the other cats, but after her little night adventure she just wanted to rest. Wildheart yawned and stretched the stiffness out of her muscles, the night had been cold and she had had only herself to keep warm. She gave her black fur another quick check, but as always it shone brightly, it looked healthy, but had a slight unhealthy glisten to it that made Wildheart sad. She loved keeping herself well groomed, and she loved her fur always being sleek and healthy. Shaking herself she enters the camp, she nodded politely to the cat on duty. The clearing was full of activity with the many Warriors and apprentices waking up to start the new day. Wildheart eyed the freshkill pile and took a step closer towards it, but she halted. She didn’t want to take any, especially since she had come back empty handed. Sighing she slowly made her way to the warriors den, where he warm bed awaited her. Her green yes scanned the clearing and they settle on the Warrior Darkthorn, she couldn’t help the purr of joy that raced through her. Darkthorn had been her mentor, and he was like family to her, she races over to him a slight spring in the young she-cats steps. She felt like an apprentice when she was around him even though they were equals. “Darkthorn!” She purrs.

OOC: I hope this is alright for my first post ^^

[Darkthorn]

Darkthorn

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Life’s not the breaths you take
The breathing in and out

His eyes wandered around the camp watching the goings on of camp. The warriors departing his eyes caught a well recognized pelt of black fur slipping through the crowd. He watched her weary form head toward the warriors den. He sighed, but a smile was on his face. He'd trained her well enough, and he trusted her judgement. He was no longer her mentor and if she fancied a jaunt around the forest at night, who was he to stop her. But part of him wished he could scold her for her foolish actions, for her lack of consideration for her own safety. What if a hungry fox had happened upon her trail. He shook the thought from his head. He wouldn't be able to bare it if she left him. His eyes wandered away from her, assuming that she was slipping into her nest to sleep, he fixed his gaze on the freshkill pile, as if sure that by his sheer will it would fill with succulent prey.

Her purr woke him from his reverie. He turned his eyes on her blinking away the sadness and concern that was in them for his clan, mate, and kits. He smiled at her and flicked her ear with his tail tip. "I see you had a late night, welcome back to camp." He said keeping the mentoring tone out of his voice. Though they were equals and he was proud of his former apprentice, it was always hard to make those small transitions. Seeing your kits become apprentices an warriors, they will always be your kits. Seeing an apprentice, especially the first one, become a warrior. She would always be his apprentice. He could smell the scent of the forest coming off her in waves and it called to him, reminding him that he should be out in the forest soon this day, attempting to hunt for his clan, although he didn't believe that there was anything to be hunted in the forest.

Darkthorn smiled at Wildheart before turning his attention back to the entrance. How was the prey running last night?" He asked calmly, unable to resist turning and giving her half a glance. His eyes the unmistakable flash of mentor to apprentice. Turning his attention back to the entrance fully once more. He stood to his paws and stretched, his back stiff from having sat in one position for so long. He dug his claws in and out of the ground first one paw and then another relishing in the feel of his claws in something solid. As he came back to his feet he flicked his tail and ears and turned to Wildheart once more. "I was just deciding that I'd go out for a bit of a hunt, care to join me sleepy paws?"

That gets you through the day
Ain’t what it’s all about

(Lyrics Credit to "The breath you take" by George Strait)

[Wildheart]

Wildheart

Cause I'm hiding behind this smile
No, I haven't come out for awhile

Her keen eyes searched her old mentors face. She didn’t know what she saw there, but it didn’t look to good. The young cat opened her mouth to ask, but closed it quickly; she didn’t know what to say. She had no clue what to ask and it would be rude to ask when it was none of her business. She couldn't ask personal questions or things like that it was rude. But Darkthorn obviously had something on his mind; one quick look showed that his eyes were troubled. Wildheart was a very curious cat and she wanted to know what was bothering him, she doubted she could sleep till she knew, but she dismissed it with a flickof her ear, if he wanted to talk he would and she knew he would tell her, that was why she trusted him so much, because she knew he trusted her compltely. Yet sh found herself looking at him again, curious to know. She grinned at his words, but she could also tell he was trying not to speak to her like an apprentice, but an equal. It appeared that they both were having trouble with the new arrangement. She saw him as her mentor and to Wildheart, Darkthorn would always be here mentor. Someone she knew she could go to when she was upset, someone she would always wish to be like, the main cat she would look up to. Wildheart just hoped that he would see her as not only his old apprentice, but someone he could talk to. She wanted to know that he trusted her. She wanted him to talk.

The she-cat scowled. She looks down at her paws eying the small bits of grass that stuck out. The grass was slightly brown showing more of the signs of just how harsh this Leaf-bare had been. She averted the older cats gaze; she didn’t want to tell him she had caught nothing, or that she had probably scared all the prey from miles away. She didn’t want to see him disappointed… Wildheart was disappointed in herself. She couldn’t understand how she had let her sister’s taunts get to her. Wildheart had never let them before, but this time her sister’s words had seemed to push her just too far, and instead of saying something and causing and argument Wildheart had done what her sister had seen as cowardice. That had stung Wildheart the most, she was not a coward that new nothing more than words, and she could speak and taunt anyone with a sharp comment. Wildheart also new the skills of fighting better than her sister… Her sister was stupid; she couldn’t see that Wildheart had been the smart one by walking away. Wildheart wasn’t even sure she had made the right choice.

“The hunting was good!” she ignored the look he gave her as he stretched his long powerful legs. He was a strong cat that any smart warrior would fear, but Wildheart didn’t, not even the slightest. She knew the cat too well, she knew all his moves and techniques, after all he had taught her everything he knew. Wildheart yawned showing her white teeth. She was tired, she just wanted to sleep. "I was just deciding that I'd go out for a bit of a hunt, care to join me sleepy paws?" She eyed him, wondering if she should agree. She wanted to sleep desperately, but the thought of hunting with her old mentor was far more exciting. Wildheart also wanted to catch something, she had come back empty pawed and that had upset her. Besides if she wanted to eat she needed to hunt. She looks up at Darkthorn. “Sure. I would love some Water Vole.” She said grinning. Both the cats loved water vole, it was a habit that she had picked up from the tom, it was also the first piece of prey she had ever caught. It also tasted the best. Flicking the toms face with her tail she bounded over to the camps entrance, her sleepiness gone.

See there is this place so empty inside me
I keep hiding behind this smile

(Lyrics from Matt Wertz song "Behind A Smile Lyrics")

[Darkthorn]

Darkthorn

You just might miss the point
trying to win the race

He smiled at her as she flicked his ear. It was a genuine smile, one he hadn't had cause to cross his lips in quite some time. Probably since the day his kits had been born. He glanced over his shoulder toward the den once more. His eyes traveled from the nursery to the apprentice den. He hadn't seen Starlingpaw this morning and her scent around camp was stale. He'd have to go look for her later. So much had happened since Blackpaw's death. The though of his son brought the image of his blood soaked body to his mind. The prfessional slit across his throat made Darkthorns heart ache with grief. He shook the image from his mind and turned in time to see Wildheart at the entrance of the camp. Her words about the water vole drifted back into his head, as if recalled from a dream in which he'd only been a half participant. He bounded forward and past her flicking her ear as he did so.

"I'd race you to the river but I wouldn't want you to be embarrassed to lose to an old warrior like me." He said and smiled an honest smile again. "On top of that I have nothing to bet. I can't let you off of chores, or give you extra if you win or lose now." He mewed as if thoughtfully. His claws had extended and dug into the frozen ground, he was prepared to bolt at the slightest instant toward the river. He wouldn't let her win. She was smart, but he was fast, and older. He lifted a paw and cuffed her ear gently, claws now sheathed in that paw. His eyes drifted skyward and he took in the weather. It was as if a storm was about to break. Like the world waited with baited breath for the first few flakes of snow to drift down. Upon that he knew that the wind would pick up and they could be lost in their own territory. He parted his jaws and the crisp tang of earth-bound snow hit his tongue. "We'd better be quick about it then." He said and turned in perfect form his legs already extending into his first stride.

HIs legs, though tired from all the work were pumped full of adrenaline. He felt the hormone surging through his body, though he didn't know what it was. He knew that it was because for the first time in what seemed like seasons he was having fun. He felt alive. He shook his head as he raced through the grass almost as silent as the owl that hunted from the skies. HIs paws knew the ground well, and they found the places where the least amount of disturbance could be made. His head dropped to give him a perfect line, very aerodynamic from his flicked back ears to his streaming tail. he knew that before him was a branch that had fallen before the last snow and was covered with this last packed snow. He didn't know if Wildheart was aware for he'd taken an irregular path to the river. As he neared the concealed branch he gathered his muscles and bunched his haunches under his shoulders, pressing off from the ground in a great leap. With a desire to show off his skill he twisted in midair and struck out with a hind paw as though leaping over the shoulders of a fox. He twisted again and hit the ground in perfect stride racing forward and coming to a sliding stop just a fox length from the riverbank a smile flashing on his triumphant face.

Life's not the breaths you take
but the moments that take your breath away

(Lyrics Credit to "The Breaths You Take" by George Strait)

Ooc:I think they are cute together lol =D

[Wildheart]

Wildheart

There must be some place warmer then here
Because my teeth just chatter and I live in fear

The camp was busy withal the early morning activities. She took a quick glance over her shoulder to see Darkthorn glance at the nursery before heading towards her. She frowned thoughtfully; she knew that Darkthorn had kits and a beautiful mate. But she also knew that lately he had been down, was there a connection? She glanced up at his face, which was now a mask, unreadable. She sighed, she wanted to know what was wrong, but she also didn’t want to know, it was the old toms business not hers, and still she felt the urge to ask him, again. She sinked her claws into the soft earth and stretched her tired muscles. The yearned for sleep and a warm nest, but she felt an undying urge to run in her territory, feel the cool ground under paw and the breeze rush over her fur. She wanted to hunt and have the adrenaline run through her. Wildheart wanted to feel free. With a flick of her ear she banished all the thoughts of her sister from her mind. She wanted to focus on the time with her old mentor. These days she rarely got to see the cat. Wildheart wanted to enjoy it, before once again she was thrown into the busy life of a Warrior, and days were she would barely get to glance at him. She smiles at Darkthorn as he stretches yet again, it could be that he was cold, or that he was just getting old. Her smile dropped as she took in the old cat; that was it, he was getting old.

"I'd race you to the river but I wouldn't want you to be embarrassed to lose to an old warrior like me."

[/b] Wildheart can’t help but smile. He was old, but he was still smart and had a young fit body. She rolls her eyes, she knew that Darkthorn was fast, but she doubted that he would be able to beat her; after all she was the fastest cat in her clan. Or so she thought. Wildheart opened her jaw slightly drinking in all the scents of her home, from the smells of the camp that lay behind them to the fresh forest and the small marsupials that dared live so close to the camp. Wildheart wanted to run. She snapped her mouth shut and eyed the land around her, she knew the forest well. She bunches her legs and prepares to run, but before she can even take a step Darkthorn disappears from her side. She sees a flicker of his tail through the reeds before he is gone, she is left standing dumbfounded. A grin lights up her face and an instant later she is racing after him through the forest. The muscles ripple under her pelt with each stride, carrying her faster than any rabbit could run. Her stride faltered momentarily as she realised that Darkthorn was talking a different route. Wildheart never used this route, she didn’t even know this was a way to the river.

Wildheart didn’t know that there was a log up ahead, but she had caught up. She watched as Darkthorn leapt over, twisting and doing some fancy stuff. She leapt just a moment later, she didn’t try any fancy stuff, and she hadn’t seen the log in time. With her last strides she fell in synch with her mentor, after a few more strides they both came to a halt at the riverbank. The water was almost crystal clear and it looked amazing. Wildheart twisted to lick the fur on her shoulder, removing a leaf from one of the bushes that had snagged her fur. She pulled the leaf off dropping it to the ground. She doesn’t miss Darkthorn’s triumphant smile and can tell he was proud of his leap. She smiled at his delight. “I see you’re not as fast as you use to be.” She teased swatting him on the ear with her paw. She shivered slightly at the cool breeze. She raised her delicate nose and sniffed the cool crisp air. “Looks like it is time to hunt.” She could smell all the delightful scents of prey, freshkill that made her mouth water and stomach grumble.[/blockquote][/size]

Cause no I'm not okay
No I'm not alright

(lyrics credit to Matt Wertz, "Behind a Smile")

OOC: ikr? they are so cute xD

[Darkthorn]

Darkthorn

Well, it's two hearts
And one dream

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He flexed his shoulders stretching again at the side of the river bank. He looked up at her, his previous apprentice and smiled. "Now watch it, I'm not that old" He said lifting a paw and cuffing her gently over the ear. He lifted his nose and sniffed deeply trying to draw the scent of prey over his tongue and past his scent glands. He wanted to be successful in bringing his clan feed. He flicked his tail and closed his mouth. He had scented a not so fresh trail of vole and shrew on the wind. His eyes narrowed and he looked around at the surroundings. His eyes finally found what they were looking for. A small amount of snow displaced from where it obviously had been, a bent piece of grass. He glanced at Wildheart and smirked. "I've still got the drop on you!" He said and bunched his haunches and forelegs. His muscles tightened and he pressed off from the ground his body doing exactly as it had been trained to do. Soaring silently through the air, low to the ground, claws and body extending, eyes focused on the spot before him, at which his training told him the prey was under.

His paws hit the snow, pressing it down and his claws slid into the soft flesh of a plump little vole. There was a muffled squeak, but it died away as quickly as it was uttered. Darkthorn's teeth sunk into the back of the neck of the small prey, and it died quickly. He lifted it up out of the shallow hole. He turned and took the last few paces back to where Wildheart was. "See. I'm not such an old tom after all." He said and smiled again. He dropped his gaze and gave thanks to starclan for the small piece of prey that would feed his clan. This would be enough to keep his mate and kits alive for another few days, and that was more than he could hope for. it seemed as though the worst of leafbare had passed. This thought of his family brought to mind his current struggle of trusting his mate. He shook his head and looked up at his former apprentice. His eyes were sure to betray his worry and shame, but he couldn't help it. He was saddened by his suspisions and needed someone, who wasn't an apprentice, to talk to. He hadn't seen Shimmerlilly in moons. And Starlingpaw, just wasn't mature enough, no matter what she believed, to understand his concerns.

Perhaps Wildheart would be his confidant. No...this is not her concern. He thought to himself shaking his head slowly. He flicked his ears and looked over toward the river. His mind began to wander again, back to his kits, his mate, his family. What if she is cheating on me. He thought to himself and flicked his tail again. He couldn't bring this pain, this trouble down on someone so young. It wasn't her concern. His troubles weren't a concern to anyone but himself. He flicked his ears forward and looked back at Wildheart. "Can I ask your opinion on something?" He asked, his yellow gold eyes searching hers. Worry and concern flickering across his eyes. He looked away and focused on scratching snow and dirt over his prey before pulling his haunches under him and turning to face the river, looking out over the depths of the partially frozen water and thinking of his family, and wishing he knew how to ask for help.

I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

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(Lyrics Credit to "Just Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Vasser)

Ooc: this just got interesting =)

[Wildheart]

Wildheart

In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes
In the night the stormy night away she'd fly

She felt so free. She could feel her body relax and her senses sharpen as the cool crisp air ran through her. She gulps down air feeling it burn her throat and make her shiver. She grinned; she loved the feeling of the cool air as it raced through her. She watches momentarily as a puff of hot steam floats from her mouth. A faint smile twitches at the corner of her lips as she remembered, that when she was younger she use to whack and try to hit the white puffs. The cool air was not the only thing that made Wildheart feel fresh and free, the feeling of the cool soil beneath her feet felt comforting, but the presence of her old mentor made her feel younger and at a time when she didn’t have such a big responsibility on her shoulders. The sun danced across the water and faintly Wildheart could make out the small bubbles or even the faint disturbances in the water’s surface that signalled fish. The only hard bit about spotting fish was the fact that a thin layer of ice covered the water. It was hard, but any cat with keen eyes could make it out, or maybe it was just Wildheart.

The young she-cat turns her attention back to her mentor. His eyes flicker to a clump of snow, snow that looked differently, but then it didn’t, but Wildheart couldn’t understand why he thought it was any different. She saw the tiny flicker of his tail and instantly she opened her mouth a touch, drinking in all the scents. She could taste faintly the scent of her favourite prey. It made her mouth water and again she looked over at the snow, and as if she had missed it or over looked it she noticed the slight change. How the snow wasn’t in the right spot as if it was some sort of burrow, and in a way it was. She also took in the grass and how the blades around it were slightly bent as if they had been pushed aside numerous amounts of times. The vole was in there. Wildheart’s eyes flicker over to Darkthorn where she could see him prepare to pounce on the vole. She watched as his strong legs bunched together, before releasing themselves as he threw himself in an elegant leap towards the nest. She heard the faint cry of fear, but it was over in seconds. The Vole stood no chance.

She grinned at the tom, he was right after watching that move she absolutely didn’t think he was so old. She smiled at him, she wasn’t sure if she was proud or awed. She was proud of him, she felt so lucky to have had such an amazing mentor, but then she felt so awed. She now knew that she had so much she still had to learn, but all her hopes and dreams of one day leading her clan were still there, and she knew they would be until the day that she died. Wildheart didn’t miss it. She saw the sadness and worry that flickered across his face as he briefly looked up from the vole. It made all her worries surface and she felt herself frown with not only worry for herself, but for her old mentor. "Can I ask your opinion on something?" He felt his eyes staring and she raised hers to meet his. She could see him thinking and she saw the worry and concern, he didn’t hide at. Even if he had of tried she knew he couldn’t. She had always been able to read the old Tom. And now as she watched him scratch dirt and snow over the vole, she realised just how old he was. His shoulders that had been lifted with pride merely moments ago now hung defeated and tired. “Darkthorn… I want you to tell me what is wrong. I want to know what is bothering you. You know you can tell me.” She said softly. She didn’t need to say anymore. She trusted the cat with all her heart.

Life goes on, it gets so heavy
The wheel breaks the butterfly

[Wolfkit]

Tiny paws carried a little fuzzy kit as she silently stalked out of camp unnoticed. She had a habit of sneaking out and oddly unnoticed. Perhaps it was because she had no over protective mother, well she had no mother at all. Not even a father.

Not that she cared. She was used to being cared for by the clan that she didn't know any different. Having to stay in camp bored the kit and when she saw Darkthorn and Wildheart race out of the enterence Wolfkit intended to follow.

She didn't expect the snow to be this deep though. Luckily for her though the two cats left a trail the kit could easily run on without getting stuck. When she came across a log she stopped with a frown. How was she going to follow them if she couldn't jump across this log? Bunching her muscles she jumped the best she could and made it ontop of the log. Pleased with her victory Wolfkit raised her tail in delight then continued to follow the trail toward the lake. Finally reaching the lake she followed the voices and quickly hid the best she could before she could get spotted.

She made sure that she could see and hear what they were doing, but she didn't know that she was upwind of them and that her scent was easily sniffed. Little Wolfkit had a lot to learn. A gust of cold wind made Wolfkit very cold. She started shivering rustling the bush she was hiding in. "Mouse dung!" she growled softly hoping the two cats wouldn't know she was watching them like prey. Wolfkit continued to watch the two cats with her deep sapphire colored eyes waiting.

hope you guys don't mind me joining in. :]

[Darkthorn]

Darkthorn

Now once again I'm here to take advantage
Cause once again the one I love is gone

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He looked away from her, his eyes refocusing on the shore across the lake. The view was obscured by the island, but every now and again he would catch a whiff from Windclan, their winds were the strongest, racing down their moors and across the lake. He watched, almost seeing the wind itself sweep across the water, billowing waves before it, and come crashing against Riverclan's stronger scent here on this side of the lake. Just as the waves crashed on the shore, so the clans clashed against eachother. Mostly calmly, with little interference with everyday life. Barely a change in situation, but sometimes, during times of terrible conflict or trouble blood colored the once calm waters red. The clans raged against one another as the lake raged against it's shorse during a storm. Beating, wearing down, covering, but eventually receding back to it's old ways. Running up the shore a ways before receding back to the depths only to be over taken by another wave before it reached it's destination. It's interesting how it's whole life it seems to run from one shore to the next, only intent upon reaching it, but once it's here, it's only intent is to get back to it's depths. His philisophical thoughts puzzled him, and he turned away from the water realizing that WIldheart had invited him to share with her.

He sighed flicking his ears. As he did so he heard the faint rustle of fur on the ground a good distance away. Thinking it only another piece of prey he noted it's direction and returned to continue his conversation. His ears, now intrigued by this small sound, took in another, more distinct couple of sounds which again drew Darkthorns attention away from his former apprentice. The phrase Mouse dung flitted across the ground along with a tiny sneeze and the rustle of the branches of the bush not two or three fox lengths from where they stood. Darkthorn opened his mouth to reply to Wildheart, but a scent blasted across his tongue and he did all he could to hold back a smile. For as hurt as he was, he couldn't pass up a chance to do some instructing to a young wandering kit. "I do believe we have a small spy Wildheart." Darkthorn said, softly, almost under his breath. His mind shifted quickly to form a plan, and he gave Wildheart a look he hoped she understood.

He needed her to follow his lead, and work with him as well as they once had. He trusted her and this was going to be a fun day after all. "I've been meaning to talk to you about one of the kits in the nursery." He said raising his voice little to allow it to carry distinctly to the bush. He wanted the young Wolfkit to hear his every word. I've been concerned about her performance, and I think that she may need some extra time in the nursery. Tell me Wildheart,"

[/b] He paused suppressing a smile, and forcing his face to remain calm and controlled, "What do you think of young Wolfkit?" His eyes sparkled mischievously, but he was almost certain that the young kit couldn't see them from where she was sitting. [/size][/blockquote]

I need to know there's someone who still loves me.
And I need a shoulder to cry on

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(Lyrics Credit to "A Shoulder To Cry On" by Charley Pride)

[Wildheart]

Wildheart

The brighter day of time and grace
Will light the way for your embrace

Wildheart stared at Darkthorn; he seemed to pause before opening his mouth to tell her. Then he stopped. He seemed to freeze for a moment and that was when the scent floated over to Wildheart. She took a deep breath, barely supressing a sigh as the familiar scent of Wolfkit wafted over her. The kit was always running off, it would be no longer than a day before she decided to go for her own adventure. It made Wildheart a little frustrated at how worried the clan would get, but than her whiskers would twitch into a smile as she remembered all the times that she would run away from camp as a kit. Her eyes briefly flicker to where she heard the sound of leaves rustling and a small curse which made her grin even harder to control. It was threatening to break out onto her face, but with good control she kept her face smooth, no more than a twitch of her long beautiful whiskers. Wildheart sits down delicately onto the ground, it was cold and she instantly wanted to get back up, but instead she settled herself down and wrapped her long fluffy black tail around her front paws. Her emerald green eyes scanned the lake that lay in front of her, she wanted to say something about the kit, but by the look on Darkthorn’s face told Wildheart he knew, and that he had a plan.

Wildheart flicked her ear in response to his whispered words, she could see the mischievous glint in his eye, and it made her feel so happy. She loved seeing him like this, so full of life and cheeky. It was what she missed seeing about the tom, she hated seeing him so worried and depressed. She had been so glad when he had finally asked her if he could share. She searched his eyes briefly and as she had expected all signs of his early sadness had disappeared swallowed up by the excitement he felt. It was very contagious. She flicked her tail along the ground excitedly. Any older cat would easily pick up their excitement and know what was going on, but Wolfkit was just a kit, and she had made a few mistakes already. She had a lot to learn. First off she was down wind so her scent was easily carried to the two Warriors and secondly she was far too loud, but of course that would be expected from a kit that shouldn’t be wondering around the forest. Wildheart actually would love to mentor the young kit. She would love to teach the naughty, but adventurous kit how to hunt. It would be very exciting. The thought of Wildheart having her first apprentice made her heart skip a beat. It would be amazing and she would feel so honoured. If only Crimsonstar would give her one. Maybe she had to ask.

"I've been meaning to talk to you about one of the kits in the nursery." She looked at him in shock at first, what? Why would that be so important? Her eyes must have betrayed her surprise. Darkthorn gave her a long look and instantly she knew what he wanted. They were going to play again. Wildheart almost laughed, but she supressed it with a twitch of her ear. "I've been concerned about her performance, and I think that she may need some extra time in the nursery. Tell me Wildheart” He paused, she flicked her tail with anticipation. "What do you think of young Wolfkit?" Wildheart pretended to pause for a moment to think, but instead she was pausing to stop the snicker that was about to escape. “That one’s trouble.” She says gravely. “I’m pretty sure that Crimsonstar is planning on keeping her in the nursery for a few months longer." She pause, an idea sparking her mind. “The amount of times she goes wondering." She says with a shake of her head. " I heard Stagshadow saying to Crimsonstar, that the next time they find she has gone missing, she will have a lot of ticks to remove!” She exclaims. She stands on her strong legs and yawns before stretching her body. Her claws sink into the Earth and with a purr of delight she repositions herself and stares at Darkthorn, waiting for him to take the lead. Like he always had done.

Tonight we're all still young at heart
Something good will come

(Lyrics credit to Amy Meredith "Young At Heart")

[Wolfkit]

Wolfkit shuffled her paws slightly as she watched Darkthorn speak. Tipping her head as she listened to his concerns about one of the kits. Then he asked what Wildheart thought about Wolfkit. The little kit drew in a breath and almost wanted to shrink away but she was intrigued to hear what they were going to say. Not knowing that this was a plan to teach her yet another lesson.

Wolfkit looked at Wildheart intently as she spoke what she thought about the little kit. The little kit and to dig her little claws into the ground to keep her from jumping up to protest about her being trouble. Wolfkit gasped in horror that was the last thing the kit wanted to happen but she didn't like staying in camp. It was far to boring for her tastes. Ewwww I don't wanna remove ticks, the kit thought to herself. Now was a probable time to retreat but Wolfkit didn't.

The little stinker was about to be bold. Well for her talking wasn't her strong point, in fact it was her greatest weakness. The longest conversation she had was with Duskmist, but Wolfkit felt so comfortable talking to her it just spilled out of the usually soft spoken kit.

Wolfkit's sapphire blue eyes sparkled as the sun light hit them just right as the little kit pushed out of the bush with her tail low. "You don't think Crimsonstar would do that would you?" the little kit asked her voice almost shaking.

For her age little Wolfkit was rather small and wouldn't get much bigger when she was fully grown. That was both a good and a bad thing. Good because of all the small places she could fit into and bad for the fact that it will take her a little bit longer to get over big objects and traveling with the bigger cats would hinder her slightly but somehow she would manage maybe.

Wolfkit sat down a few mouse lengths away from the two warriors and shuffled her paws. Shifting her gaze from Darkthorn to Wildheart as she waited patiently for their answer, hungry for the answer that she dreaded to hear.

OOC:sorry it took me so long to respond. Heck-tic life.

[Darkthorn]

Darkthorn

His eyes sparkled with delight as his former apprentice picked up on his subtle cues. Just like old times, they fell into the patterns and cues of one another as if they still spent every day together training. He flicked the tip of his tail on the ground as he listened to Wildheart nodding at the appropriate places and flicking his ears gently as fi consulting her words. I agree, perhaps allowing her to take care of the elders would teach her some discipline-" He cut himself off and turned his attention to the small ball of fluff that was walking meekly toward the pair, and it took all of his concentration to keep his mouth from curling into a smile. He flicked his ears trying to look surprised at the sight of the young kit. He tilted his head and listened to her as she spoke and then turned his attention to Wildheart winking at her with the eye that the kit wouldn't be able to see at her angle from a couple of mouselengths away.

Maybe you'll learn respect after all little one he thought and opened his mouth, "Wolfkit! I didn't know she was there did you Wildheart?" He turned back to the kit and fiened a shocked look "Great Starclan this was not a conversation for kit ears!" He said a twinkle in his eyes. He shook his head trying to appear as though returning to her question and tilted his head and glanced at the sky in a thoughtful way. "I don't know Wolfkit. What would you do if you were leader and a kit continued to sneak out of camp?" He asked her, trying to appear truely concerned for her answer. Personally, I think every kit needs to get out of camp once or twice, before their apprenticed. I was so clueless my first time out. He thought to himself.

Ooc: I'm so sorry this is crap... ugh... muse has run from me of late...

[Wildheart]

Wildheart

Wildheart smiles at her mentor, she loved the way this was going, prehaps the young kit would learn a lesson from all of this. She didn't know, but she hoped she would have. But part of her wanted to praise the yound kit for taking the chance to sneak out and take a look at evrything that surrounded her. It was a very dangerous world and to become accustomed to it very early was a good thing. She could still remember all the times she had snuck out of camp, and she thought she had turned out alright. She looks sideways at Wolfkit, or where the kit was hiding, her eyes sparkiling with joy at the little joke. It made her almost smile with happiness at the way she and her mentor could easily communicate with just the simpliest of looks.

Wildheart snorted a slighly as the kit jumps out and starts heading towards them, but she keeps her eyes on Darkthorn. Sh widens her eyes in mock horror as Darkthorn points out the kit, she looks sternly at the kit, but, really she was looking fondly at the she-cat, her blue eyes sparkled a little scared, at the fear of having to remove all those ticks. "Oh no Darkthorn I had no idea, that she was their." She says shaking her head in agreement. "She must have snuck up on us!" She adds, looking at Darkthorn in surprise. She flicked her tail in amusement. She sighs, in agreement with darkthorn. "That is true, if you were in Crimsonstars position wouldn't you?" She surpresses the smile that tugs at the corners of her lips, she was finding this very amusing.

((OOC: I'm so sorry this took so long, and that it is so bad! D: ))