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Post by ' B r a c k e n on Jun 11, 2009 22:31:37 GMT -5
The valley rose up on both sides as the young apprentice walked through the grass. He had been following the scent of a rabbit but he hadn't noticed crossing borders into the place of the gathering. He had never been to a gathering before because of his mischievous plans that usually ended up in him getting caught.
Up ahead he saw the rump of a rabbit scratching at the ground. He wasn't usually hunting rabbits this was a new adventure for the young tom. He stuck his flank in the air and with a couple quick shakes he was after the rabbit. The rabbit had a bit of a jump start for the shakes had alerted it to the cats presence. Within a couple moments the rabbit had raced out of sight and into a hole.
Hazelpaw sat up slamming his tail to the ground in frustration. He didn't know where he was and his mouth was overthrown with scents of all sort that he remembered from his first day as an apprentice but he forgot what or who they belonged to. Just as he was about to bound off in the direction he thought his clan was in he heard a rustle in the grass sounding like another cat. He flattened himself to the ground hoping he wasn't about to be caught by an enemy patrol. They'd make easy meal out of him. Then hed really never go to a gathering. |
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Post by Head{admin} on Jun 11, 2009 22:48:12 GMT -5
A lanky white tomcat stalked through the tall grass, his paws slightly sore with walking. Upon awakening that morning, he had discovered a surprising thing: he was low on comfrey. After a few hours of trying to ignore his knawing need to be perfect--that is, to have plenty of every herb, no matter how much it is needed--Ivorymask had given in to his OCD desires and announced that he was heading to the Crimson Meadows. No cat had bothered to ask why or try to stop him...who could stop a medicine cat on a mission? Especially not this medicine cat.
So here he was...stalking through the tall grasses of Crimson Meadow at sunhigh...in the heat of the day. And man was it hot. But what did it matter? Ivorymask was at peace in a place where he could truly relax...a place that was often deserted every day, save for the night of a Clan Gathering. He strolled through the tall grass, his senses alert for the pink, bell-shaped flowers that would announce the presence of comfrey. His mind was so set on finding this herb, and he was so certain that there were no cats here, that he did not catch the unfamiliar scent that wafted towards him on a soft breeze...until he was just about right on top of the apprentice.
"Oi!" he gasped, leaping backwards in surprise as he spotted the young cat. Narrowing his eyes, Ivorymask leaned forward and sniffed deeply the smell of CascadeClan, and his suspicions were aroused. "What are you doing so far from your Clan, kit?" he demanded, casting a firm, disapproving glare on the young cat. He wouldn't mind too much if a warrior was here...but an apprentice was just too young to be so far away from their Clan alone. Unless...unless he wasn't alone? Ivorymask's odd eyes scanned the tall grass around them, his ears pricked forward as he listened for any sound of another cat. "Unless you are a medicine cat apprentice looking for some herbs, shouldn't you stick to your own hunting grounds?"
He didn't really care that this apprentice was hunting on neutral ground. What did it have to do with him? Ivorymask was just annoyed because he wasn't alone here...and he liked being alone when he was on one of his day-long herb excursions. |
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Post by Fernpool on Jun 11, 2009 22:59:02 GMT -5
Fernpool pricked her nose and looked around worriedly. Racing forward she though the scent went this way. Hazelpaw had escaped the camp on his own again and Lightstep had been worried sick when she couldn’t find her apprentice. Hurrying to her sister, Lightstep had implored the help of Cascade Clan’s medicine cat so Fernpool had set out tracking the scent of the mischievous apprentice.
The scent had led quite far away from the camp and even out of the territories of Cascade Clan making Fernpool worry even more. She looked around once more before continuing forward finally reaching the edge of Crimson Meadow. His scent seemed to be strongest here and this made her somewhat relived. Relived, until she caught the scent of another cat – from Flurry Clan.
Leaping forward through the tall grass, Fernpool looked wildly around and called out for the young apprentice. “Hazelpaw? Where are you, Hazelpaw?” Seeing a flash of brown fur ahead, the young medicine cat raced towards it and came upon a confrontation between the apprentice and Ivroymask, the Flurry Clan medicine cat. “There you are Hazelpaw! We have been so worried about you!” she called racing to his side and quickly licking the apprentice’s head in worry.
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Post by Lightstep on Jun 12, 2009 9:21:53 GMT -5
Lightstep raced through the underbrush and followed the heavy scent of her apprentice. How could he run off again? She was already going to have to deal with telling the clan about last time, but again? What if he met another clan cat? Hazelpaw! She thought worriedly. She raced past trees blowing in the gentle wind making it harder for her to follow it exactly, past the river splashing by and covering any scent that may have passed that way, and through all the way to the Cascade Clan border.
“Hazelpaw!” she cried out anxiously. Prancing at the border in hesitation, Lightstep finally crossed it and continued to follow the now slightly more pungent scent. It led her all the way to the edge of Crimson Meadow where she caught the scent of her sister and…a Flurry Clan cat! Perking her ears with a growl on her tongue, Lightstep raced through the tall grass towards the sound of voices.
Spotting Hazelpaw and Fernpool together she relaxed a little. Running towards them past the Flurry Clan cat, she stopped inches away and began to furiously lick the head of her apprentice. “Do…not…do…that…again!” she growled through worried licks. The licking was slightly rough for two reasons. One so he would learn not to run off again and the other because she was much to glad to see him unharmed to manage anything else.
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Post by Head{admin} on Jun 12, 2009 9:43:19 GMT -5
"Well, kit? What are you doing here?" Ivorymask demanded again when the apprentice didn't say anything. Rapid pawsteps reached his ears, and the white tomcat's head shot up, fur bristling uncomfortably. He was no fighter, and if there was an enemy patrol....He sniffed, eyes narrowing as he recognized another CascadeClan cat. What, was there some kind of pow wow going on here?
Fernpool burst into view, immediately running up to the apprentice and scolding him. Despite himself, Ivorymask relaxed--he knew Fernpool and respected her, although, in his opinion, she seemed to be a little too gentle with her Clan. "Wh-" he began, and then another set of pawsteps reached his ears as another cat of CascadeClan appeared...a warrior, he was sure. This cat ran up to Hazelpaw as well, and soon she and Fernpool were furiously licking the apprentice's head. Ivorymask sighed, closing his eyes as he searched for patience. So, this apprentice had snuck out."I was rather convinced that CascadeClan taught their apprentices better than to wander out of the territory alone," he mewed disapprovingly, eyes narrowing as he glared at the apprentice and unknown warrior. A cool wind rustled the grass around him, bringing to him the heavy scent of comfrey's large flowers, and Ivorymask sighed silently--so much for his peaceful herb-search.
He glanced at Fernpool, wondering why she, of all cats, had come to look for the apprentice. Perhaps because a medicine cat wouldn't be questioned if they were found here? Did she need more herbs? [/size] |
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Post by Lightstep on Jun 12, 2009 9:53:48 GMT -5
Lightstep looked up at the sound of another cat and suddenly remembered the Flurry Clan member. She vaguely recognized the white head as Ivorymask -- the Flurry Clan medicine cat. Wondering for a moment, she figured defending her Clan pride was important enough for this and then he was also insulting her as a mentor. This made Lightstep flare angrily. She stepped in front of Hazelpaw, leaving Fernpool to comfort the young apprentice, and growled at Ivorymask.
“I sent him out on a training mission.” She replied coolly. “He just wandered out of the territory was all. He is perfectly well taught and has sense enough not to run off.” Lightstep eyed Hazelpaw meaningfully. Perhaps this ought to teach him a lesson. Embarrassing his mentor once again – ooh that apprentice really was something different
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Post by Fernpool on Jun 12, 2009 10:05:14 GMT -5
Fernpool stopped licking the apprentice’s head and stood protectively to his side. Her fur had yet to bristle, but if it came to fighting she would not be involved. Fighting a fellow medicine cat was not honorable by any standards and she would be ready to race back to camp dragging Hazelpaw with her and alert the other warriors to Hazelpaw’s return. She did hope there would be no need, for she knew Ivorymask wasn’t much of a fighter himself and Lightstep could easily beat him.
“Lightstep, please don’t cause a scene.” Fernpool murmured softly. “He’s a fellow medicine cat and you know I couldn’t bear if anything happened to him.” Fernpool knew her sister wouldn’t actually murder the other cat but she would do enough damage to cause Flurry Clan to rise up against Cascade Clan. That would mean more injuries and possibly a few deaths – on both sides. Besides, there was no need.
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Post by Head{admin} on Jun 12, 2009 10:15:02 GMT -5
Ivorymask's eyes widened as the enemy warrior stepped forward. Would this cat really attack a medicine cat? He watched emotionlessly as Fernpool spoke quietly to the warrior--she was speaking too quietly for him to hear, and he didn't try. The warrior gave him an excuse that made reasonable sense...but he was far too stubborn to let it go. "This is a long way from your territory. Few cats could wander this far, in my opinion," he replied firmly, narrowing his severe eyes at the mentor. It took a moment, but eventually Ivorymask realized the same thing Fernpool had--if he provoked this warrior into harming him, the two Clans would get into a fight...and no cat wanted that. It wasn't that he was trying to get into a fight...he was just annoyed. And wary. What if there was more to this than met the eye? What if this apprentice had been sent to spy on a Clan...?
"Then again, I am no warrior, so what do I know?" he mewed after a moment, taking a small step back and giving Lightstep a look that said "Don't you come near me." "I just heal them when they get themselves into mousebrained situations." Relaxing slightly, he turned to face Fernpool and mewed more calmly, "That's why I'm here, actually--I was running low on comfrey. I know where a large patch grows here. Do you need any?"
[/size] |
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Post by ' B r a c k e n on Jun 12, 2009 14:28:41 GMT -5
"I-i-i" Hazelpaw was stammering for he had never met the medicine cat and for all he knew an honorable enemy warrior was about to shred him to pieces before anyone knew what happened to him.
Suddenly Fernpool rushed through the grass and ran up to him licking his forehead, he was so thankful not to have to fight alone that he forgot to feel embarrassed. Then as the cats talked he realized that the other cat was another medicine cat. His ears flicked back in embarrassment. Which was only magnified when his own mentor-- Lightstep, ran through the grass and scolded him. His ears pressed nearly to his head and after a couple rough licks to his forehead and he slunk back ready to swipe out playfully at his leader to maybe take the focus off of how ridiculous this situation was.
But then Lightstep made up an excuse for him looking back at him. He nodded his head at the other cat as if to say "yes whatever she says" He knew by the look that his mentor gave him that he would get it when they got back to camp.
Then the cat mentioned something about him being mouse brained. He hissed silently to himself before walking forward towards the cat. "I was following a rabbit I was so focused on it I didn't notice the border ." He said holding his head high to show he wasnt going to be treated like a kit but not high enough to signal he wanted to fight. You could tell how scared the cat had been by his tail being between his legs. He was relying mostly on his mentor to take care of him.
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Post by Head{admin} on Jun 12, 2009 16:21:44 GMT -5
"No doubt," Ivorymask replied stiffly, his oddly-colored eyes continuing to hold the young apprentice in an intensely severe, disapproving stare. "And what would happen if you "didn't notice the borders" and came trundling into another Clan's territory? Or kept on padding your way across this meadow like a mousebrain, wound up in my territory, and these two came after you, and got caught by a FlurryClan patrol?" He narrowed his eyes, tail-tip twitching as he continued protectively, "I'd rather not have cats in my Clan being injured because of some apprentice's absent-mindedness." He knew he was overreacting...but Ivorymask couldn't help himself. He was the medicine cat, and he didn't want his Clan getting hurt...not because he didn't want to work, but because he actually cared for his Clan (despite what he might sometimes show ^.^).
Finished scolding the apprentice (though pretty sure Hazelpaw would not be silenced by that, and that Lightstep would be just as quick to defend him), Ivorymask lifted his gaze to Fernpool once more and repeated his question, "I'm sure you already know where some comfrey is, but if not, I can show you a good place. I spend a lot of time around here...." his voice trailed off. Ivorymask was a big fan of disappearing from his camp for a long time and discovering new places to find herbs. Crimson Meadows was one of the best places, and was usually very empty. |
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Post by Lightstep on Jun 12, 2009 19:46:23 GMT -5
Lightstep growled under her breath and restrained herself from jumping at the Flurry Clan cat. She did know how saddened her sister would be if the whole affair turned out badly and could not bear to depress her like that. But she would not let this cat dishonor her clan and her apprentice. “If you are a medicine cat, then go off and do whatever you are supposed to be doing and leave my apprentice to me.” She said harshly. Then, twitching her ears when Hazelpaw spoke, Lightstep couldn’t help but feel a little bit proud of her apprentice. Despite his fear, he was willing to confront the Flurry Clan medicine cat and protect Cascade Clan’s reputation. When the medicine cat spoke again, the surging bubble of pride that had been swelling in her chest popped. He was right, what would have happened lest Fernpool and she went into another clan’s territory?
“It will not happen again.” Lightstep replied firmly and dismissively. She did not relax her muscles but rather let the fur on her back lie flat and move into a less threatening position by the side of her apprentice. Beginning to examine Hazelpaw to see if he had been hurt in any way, Lightstep listened as the medicine cat spoke to her sister. Seeing nothing, she stood and waited for Hazelpaw to follow her before beginning to trot away. Fernpool could do as she liked for the moment – Lightstep needed to deal with her apprentice now.
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Post by Fernpool on Jun 12, 2009 19:54:14 GMT -5
Fernpool listened as the confrontation between warrior, apprentice and medicine cat continued trying to stay out of it as much as possible. She hated being present when things like this happened. It was one of the reasons that during her apprentice training, despite being an amazing fighter, she hadn’t become a warrior. She didn’t have the heart for it. When Ivorymask asked her about the comfrey for a second time, Fernpool nodded her head gently. She watched as her sister began to pad off – no doubt, angry at Hazelpaw and ready to chide the young apprentice until his tail fell off – and stood to trot over and stand beside Ivorymask. One of the best things about being a medicine cat was the bond you have with the other medicine cats. There was not nearly as much hostility and they were generally quite friendly towards each other. “I am slightly low on my supply. I’d be happy to tag along and gather some comfrey for my den.” She smiled.
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Post by Head{admin} on Jun 12, 2009 21:02:53 GMT -5
The warrior was willing to make peace, so Ivorymask let the matter drop--he could see that he'd gotten the point across. He watched silently as Lightstep padded off, and he hoped to StarClan that she would chide that apprentice of hers. Finally he and Fernpool were alone, and Ivymask relaxed considerably from his severe demeanor. With other medicine cats, he could be more himself...more himself than he could be even in his own Clan. Nodding his head the she-cat, he flicked his tail for her to follow as he trotted off through the tall grass, and the only sound to be heard was the rustling vegetation as they made their way through it and the soft padding of their pawsteps. He hadn't been planning on company, but if it was Fernpool, it would be okay.
"Has your Clan been well?" he asked, stopping briefly to sniff the air. Ah, he hadn't quite been going in the right direction. Changing course slightly, he continued on. "Has there been any problems with flooding?" [/size] |
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Post by ' B r a c k e n on Jun 12, 2009 22:23:05 GMT -5
Hazelpaw followed his mentor head down with his tail between his legs. He struggled to keep up with his mentors stride. He could tell that Lightstep was angry with him by the way the cat moved. Soon they were close to the border and he plunged across it without delay. Once he was on their side of the border he sat there waiting for his scolding to come. He began to think up things to say in his head. I didn't ask for you to come save me or who made you my keeper floated among his thoughts. |
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Post by Lightstep on Jun 13, 2009 11:25:52 GMT -5
Lightstep continued on until entering the ferns and bracken just on the edge of the meeting place where she crossed the Cascade Clan border and entered their territory. She stopped right under one particularly large tree, sat down and curled her tail over her paws. Letting it flick a few times, she took a deep breath. Then, looking down at her apprentice, Lightstep felt all her anger from before return. “What do you have to say for yourself?” she asked calmly. This time, Lightstep would need to find a punishment suitable enough to make sure Hazelpaw stayed in camp – perhaps he should clean the elders den without the help of the other apprentices.
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