Careful Contemplation

[spiritheart]

Silverwind sat at the fresh-kill pile, pawing at a stationary mouse, like a kit with a ball of moss. The warrior knew she shouldn't really be 'playing' with her food, but Morningpaw's fall into the river was still eating away at her mind. The silvery she-cat stood up abruptly, and walked with a choppy stride towards the apprentice's den, halting just outside it.
"Cloverpaw, are you there?" She meowed softly, and glanced across the quiet clearing, her gaze hovering on the medicine cat's den.
The mentor repeated her question.
"Cloverpaw?"

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[Amber]

Cloverpaw had been fast asleep, the apprentice had been with Hollykit half the night. The poor kit was so lonely, and she needed company. She yawned at the hearing of her name. She got onto her paws, still half-asleep. "Silverwind?" she replied, seeing her mentor. "What's going on, did I miss something?" she asked, shaking her head, thinking that would wake her up.

[spiritheart]

Silverwind smiled and shook her head a little.
"No. I just thought that I could take you out for a bit of an early morning hunt. Wake you up a bit. I think I'll show you some fighting techniques along the way."
The silver she-cat turned away from the apprentice's den, and started towards the camp's entrance. She turned around and beckoned Cloverpaw with her tail.
"Come on. We'll be back before anyone misses us."
The mentor turned back around and diappeared out of camp.

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[Panic]

Early morning light shone from the rising sun, just barely warming the sleeping camp. The snow was gone and the frosty air was slowly rolling out of the territory. Cold still clung to the atmosphere, but warmth from the sun could break through. A medium sized she-cat sat in front of a hollowed out stump that she called her den. She sat silently, motionless. Observing was good enough. Most cats were still asleep but some where up. Silverwind and Cloverpaw were going to go hunting so she didn't need to form a patrol for that. A morning border patrol would be necessary. Nightstar was annoyed, but she did not show it. She shouldn't have to constantly form patrols. That was the task for a deputy. But she had gone a long time without one. Nightstar had much to deal with. The only time she could get some quiet to think was before she went to sleep at night. She'd lay in her bed of moss and think things over and before she knew it it was well into the night. The poor leader barely got enough sleep, only to wake up early to make sure the right patrols leave camp at the right times.

In less than a moon Morningpaw will be due for her warrior ceremony. She'd have to let Stormfire know that an assessment would be necessary when the time comes. 3 of RiverClan's kits aren't in top shape. Two have some sort of growing disability and the other is mute. It's hard to reach through to kits to encourage them. Encouraging was also not one of Nightstar's greatest skills. Morningpaw was still in the medicine cat's den although Applefang says she'd be fine soon. And to top it all off, Stormshadows is refusing to eat. Perhaps later in the day Nightstar would speak with him to find out more details about the matter.


A dark gray tom lay wide awake in a bed of moss. It was warm from his body heat, yet cold from the night and early morning air. First thing's first, he'd visit Morningpaw. Maybe he'd get some fresh-kill for her. She can't be eating improperly. Afterwards he'd get something for himself and maybe go out hunting. Perhaps feeding Stormshadows would be better though. Or maybe that's Applefang's job or perhaps an apprentice's. He sighed, not knowing what to do. He had an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach, like today was going to just be mousedung. He rolled over. It was still to early to get up. Maybe he could get a few extra hours of sleep...

[Mirepaw]

Small, light breaths swirled around the equally small gray cat. Hummingkit's brown eyes were hidden by eyelids, and the young cat was lost in sleep. The white speckles on her otherwise solid pelt were a reminder of the dusting of snow that had recently covered the forest; her thin and scruffy fur dancing so easily in the slightest wind that one might think it actually was snowing on the young kit. Completely oblivious to the world, her small paws twitched in an unknown dream, though she made no sound. Her small tail was curled tight against her body, causing Hummingkit to seem to take up nearly no space whatsoever, curled at the edge of the nursery as she was.

Outside, her brother, Pebblepaw, and his mentor Galesong spoke in soft voices, aware that some cats had not yet arisen. Pebblepaw nearly always woke up early, and today his mentor had joined him. They simply spoke among themselves and enjoyed the morning air, holding back plans for a little while to relish the calm.

[Zelda]

The kit yawned slowly, and opened her eyes. She peeped her head out of the den and noticed only a few other cats were awake. The...snow is gone... she noted, with a hint of sadness brushing her thoughts. One more day closer to apprenticeship, though! I'll be a great warrior someday, I know! I'm gonna prove them all wrong, they'll see! Silentkit unsheathed her little claws and pretended to fight an imaginary warrior. She nipped the ground as if it were a ShadowClan cat. Stay off my territory!!! Stay in the carrion place, where you belong! Silentkit thought, clawing at the air again. She sheathed her claws again and padded silently to her companion, Hummingkit. Unable to wake her with a meow, the she-cat lightly poked the other kit with her paw. Wake up! I want to play! she thought, smiling.

His deep red pelt moved slightly, then he stood up. A yawn escaped from his jaws, and his teeth were displayed, white and sharp. Applefang checked on Morningpaw. She's fine, now. I'll let her out today, if she wants. he thought, deciding she'd want to get out of camp. The medicine cat heard Stormshadows wasn't eating, and picked a plump water vole off the freshkill pile. He padded to the elder's den, and saw the tom was awake, trying to fall back asleep.
"Stormshadows." he mewed, dropping the food in front of the tom.

The old tom opened one eye, and sat up with much difficulty. "Applepaw..." he mewed hoarsely, smiling with nostalgy. The elder cat closed his eye and laid back down. "Let me sleep, kit. I'm so tired..."

The tom's senses kicked up a notch. He knew Stormshadows was old, but...now? "Stormshadows. Not Applepaw anymore, Applefang. Get up, let's go to my den." The red tom had a hint of compassion in his mew.

He shook his head. "I'm fine, Applepaw. Stop playing games with me. I mean, look at me, I'm perfectly healthy." Stormshadows shifted his position, and looked at the vole. "I'm not hungry. I'll catch my own food. I don't need little kits feeding me..."

Applefang's pelt bristled. He said good-bye to Stormshadows and hurried to Nightstar's den. The tom appeared in the entrance. "Nightstar--it's about Stormshadows. I think he may be..." He paused, searching for the right words. "...maybe he is being called on StarClan..."

[Panic]

Nightstar lifted her head, at the sound of Applefang's voice. The elder was causing some irritation throughout the clan...No. She shouldn't think like that. She took some time to find the right words. "Why do you think so?" She finally asked. "Was he speaking as if deceased cats he knew where there, around him?" In her time as leader, and as a member of RiverClan, she had experienced the passing of elders. When StarClan called for them...well that usually meant they were talking to invisible cats. Cats from the group of their warrior ancestors that lived in the heavens. The she-cat stood, signaling that she was prepared to go see Stormshadows. She could always remember the tom being around, ever since she was young. She never thought about what it'd be like without him.

[Zelda]

Applefang shook his head. "No...but...he's been calling me 'Applepaw.' He may not be leaving us now, but he's starting to forget. I can hear his belly growling, but he says he isn't hungry..." The tom took a deep breath. "I'll take him to my den. If you want you can come check in on him." He smiled dimly, but gave in, and kept a tight, determined frown on his face as he padded back to Stormshadows.

"Ah, you're back, Applepaw. Could you get me some fresh moss?" he mewed calmly, with a smile on his face. The harsh elder had turned into a kind, patient cat.

Applefang was astounded by the sudden personality change. He had always known this tom as irritable and snappy. "Sorry, Stormshadows." he mewed, playing along. "Why don't you go to the medicine cat's den? There is a warm nest already there."

"Good idea. Come on, then. Is your mentor around?" the elder asked casually. I'd like to see Sharptongue again. I wonder how he's doing? I remember that battle when both of us were apprentices... We fought like TigerClan! he remembered, smiling. "Did I ever tell you the story of Sharppaw and Stormpaw's great battle? It's a great tale. I'll tell it to you, and Sharptongue can help."

Applefang swallowed a lump in his throat. "I'm afraid Sharptongue isn't around; he's...gathering...herbs..." he followed the elder to his den, and let the delirious sit down. "You can tell me it by yourself, though. Sharptongue...Sharptongue will be back soon." He couldn't believe the words were coming out of his mouth. Sharptongue was dead!

Stormshadows started on his story, his eyes lit with excitement. When he was finished, the tom yawned. "I'm real tired. Thanks for listening, Applepaw. Soon, you'll be a great medicine cat, like your mentor Sharptongue. We're great friends, you know." The tom closed his eyes and fell asleep.

The tom was trembling. I think it would be best if we let him go. He'll be happy to be with his family and friends again... A tear escaped from his green eyes.

[Amber]

With a slight sigh of relief the she-cat apprentice padded out of the den. Cloverpaw looked at the nursery, wondering if she should go tell Hollykit where she was going, but figured that she would be back soon. Hollykit wouldn't miss her too much, right? "Sounds like a great idea to me." she replied following Silverwind. Hunting and practicing fighting? It was going to be a full day.

Hollykit woke up from a horrible dream. Her parents had been in it, and her other siblings. A small gasp came from the kit as she realized that she was alone. Cloverpaw must have gone to the apprentices den. It sure was boring without Cloverpaw. Maybe Cloverpaw would visit her soon.

[Zelda]

Silentkit shrugged, and looked over at Hollykit. Maybe I can plaly with her, instead. It seems like Hummingkit is out cold. Hee-hee. The she-cat padded to her, grinning. She wiggled her rump and her tail swayed from side to side as a proposal to play. C'mon, play with me! Play with me! she thought.

[Mirepaw]

Hummingkit's dark brown eyes finally flicked open, catching sight of a wagging tail not too far from her face. Yawning silently, she watched Silentkit curiously, her head slightly tilted to one side. She enjoyed the air, feeling its warmth as compared to the snow which had so recently dusted the ground. She had thought she would freeze right through without Pebblepaw there to warm her! Her dark-colored fur held heat poorly when the sun was hidden, and the light covering she had hadn't been much help.

She struggled into a sitting position, still trying to make out what Silentkit was doing. It was always so quiet in the nursery, except for that one time when all the cats had come in and were making a fuss about a bird.

[Amber]

Hollykit's thoughts about her sister were interrupted by the sound of approaching pawsteps. Who was it? The kit lifted her nose, and caught the scent of another kit. What did the other kit want? She sat up, listening to the sounds around her. Maybe they could help her. She shivered, feeling a bit of cold rush through her pelt. Hollykit's head turned to Silentkit, what did she want?