ϟ ThunderClan ϟ The Fierce and Caring ϟ |☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁| ϟ

“I think training with another apprentice will be another nudge in the right direction for Drizzlepaw.” Leopardfrost mewed, sitting up and licking a paw to do a quick grooming before looking to see if Drizzlepaw was up yet, “Maybe it’ll be one for Patchpaw as well.”

Hollowpaw followed Silentflare’s scent, his scent was almost as familiar to her as her mother, father and siblings scent was to her. “What move are we working on?” Hollowpaw asked, paws itching to be training already.

Ghostscreech paused at Lightningstar’s words, feeling unsure, “I’m… I’m not sure I’m ready yet.” He said, looking away from Lightningstar. He hated admitting it, especially to the one cat he looked up to.

Sootpaw lifted his head from his nest, blinking away sleep. He scrambled out of his nest once he recognized his mentor, “Sorry, Magpiewing! I’m ready!” He mewed, shaking his pelt free of moss hurriedly. “I didn’t mean to oversleep.” He added sheepishly.

"I understand." Plumfur nodded. She knew he was particular about such things, and she didn't have anything against it. "It'll make you happy."

Nighteye nodded in understanding. He knew that Yarrowcloud should still be a warrior, fighting alongside him and the others, but he wouldn't call any attention to it. He was happy to assist him in any way he could. The tom glanced down at the branches, ready to start working. "Maybe we should go hunting sometime."

Magpiewing looked unimpressed at Sootpaw, but didn't press him further. "Just try to not sleep in again..." she muttered. It wouldn't do any good to stress the tom into forgetting his training. "We'll go out and try some battle moves. That should wake you up."

You got thrush and soot moon!)

“Yes... me too.” Plumfur agreed, feeling her eyes grow more tired. “If you don’t mind. I’m not sure why I’m so tired right now...” she admitted.

“I think RiverClan would lose their pelts if they saw a ThunderClan cat fish.” Nighteye joked, fitting a branch into the den wall. “They should consider themselves lucky that we don’t like getting our paws wet. Then we’d fight over the river and Sunningrocks.”

Dapplenight instantly looked concerned, and he quickly nudged to his mate’s side, proceeding to groom her fur lightly as he asked. “Is everything okay? Do you feel ill? Should we go to the medicine den?”

“Swimming is not so bad, I can admit. It’s easier now than walking, that’s for sure.” Yarrowcloud admitted. “Though fishing? I doubt I’d catch anything at all.” He turned to look at Nighteye then, ever so proud of how far he had come, from the once loner apprentice who had no choice but to stop his own brother, to a grown Warrior with many apprentices and a kind heart. “You know I’m proud of you, right?” He rasped, and for a moment Nighteye flashed away, and Silentflare stood in his place, pelt as dark as night. He could not say it to his brother, but he could say it to Nighteye.

“From the day you touched your nose to mine, I have never been more proud of you.”

Lightningstar gave him a soft nudge. “Well for one I trained you. I know you better than most cats because of it. I know how loyal you are to Thunderclan and that you’d do anything to protect it.”

Silentflare nodded. “You’re sense of smell and hearing is gonna be better then mine. Use it to figure out where I am.” He spoke before backing off and circling wide around to the right.

Leopardfrost nodded to Drizzlepaw, “Yup, along with Frostmoon and Patchpaw. We’re doing battle training today.” She mewed, waiting for Frostmoon to come back with Patchpaw.

Hollowpaw nodded and got ready in a defensive position, ready for her mentor’s first strike. She scented the air and her ears swiveled, listening for Silentflare’s movements.

Ghostscreech gave sigh, shaking his head, “I’m just going to have to trust your judgment.” He said, continuing on. “But we shouldn’t worry about the future, we need to focus on right now.”

"I hope you understand the importance of promises." Magpiewing told Sootpaw as she led the apprentice out of camp. "Have you been practices with the others on your battle moves? We can do a review, if you'd like." she offered.

“I think I’m settling alright.” Ghostscreech mewed, giving a shrug, “I know some of the more senior warriors had some concerns for a younger deputy, but I think I’ve convinced them I’m more than capable of being deputy.” He added.

Hollowpaw kept still, not wanting to make a move too early. She was straining her ears, hearing the soft shift of the earth as Silentflare moved, but it was a little difficult to pinpoint which direction he was moving.

Sootpaw nodded, “I have. Patchpaw and I were practicing yesterday.” He mewed.

Sootclaw and Thrushwing left their catch on the fresh kill pile. Sootclaw then walked over to the side of the warriors den to stretch aching joints. He let out sigh and peered sadly in the warriors den to where Cricketsun's nest was. How long had it been since his son and Bloompelt disappeared? Thrushwing seemed to sense his thoughts and he came over and nudged his brother, a sympathetic smile on his face. They each only had one kit left: Flamestrike and Deerleap.

“I hope so…” Dapplenight admitted, looking up at Plumfur with gentle eyes. “Do you want to lay down for a while?”

“I wish accepting it was easier.” Yarrowcloud admitted, forcing a smile, but it did not reach his eyes. “I’ve lived a longer life than many clanmates we’ve lost, yet some days I look out of the elder’s den and wonder if there’s a use for me here anymore.” He instantly regretted the words, though he could only sit in silence for a moment, before apologizing. “Sorry, Nighteye. You’re right, I know that you are… but something keeps me from accepting it sometimes.”

Sootpaw nodded and got into a battle stance, pausing for a moment to think of a strategy begotten launching himself at his mentor. He feinted right before going left, aiming his front paws at her flank.

“Thank you, Lightningstar.” Ghostscreech said, “We should head back soon. The sooner we get that patrol to SkyClan, the sooner we can figure out what to do next.” He said.

Hollowpaw heard the sudden shift, but still couldn’t pinpoint which direction Silentflare was coming from. Making a quick decision, she rolled to the left clumsily, trying to avoid her mentor’s attack.

“You hunted for the clan just now. I’d say that you deserve the rest after that.” Dapplenight admitted. He himself had been on patrol earlier, and he was more than happy to spend time with her in their nest together. He couldn’t help but feel something was truly off, and he hoped she was okay.

“…When Shadeclaw banished me, and Eagleclaw, in that moment I was assured that his words were asinine. Wrong. As time has passed though, a part of me… I still think about it. It’s hard not to let those thoughts take over, when some days they feel… true.” Yarrowcloud released a heavy breath, not wanting to put all this on his apprentice. “Maybe I just need more kits to visit me. Drizzlepaw and Flurrypaw are apprentices now, they can’t visit me like they used to.” He mewed, fondly of his grandkits.

Hollowpaw scrambled back up and shook her pelt out, “”It’s a little difficult to pinpoint which direction you’re coming from.” She admitted, settling back into a defensive position.

Ghostscreech followed after Lightningstar, thinking over everything they talked about. He still didn’t think he would be ready to be leader after Lightningstar, he didn’t think he would ever be ready, honestly.