Clan Meeting, A New Day

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

((The day after Ghost and Maple joined.))

Dawn burned past the night, beating it back with cool gray morning tones. She lay at the entrance of a small sheltered cave, head up but leaning back with its eyes closed. Icy night air moved about slowly, and brought renewed chill to her limbs as the stillness drifted past. It was a uncomfortable and sharp feeling against her pelt but the leader remained still. Here at the beginning of day the air was still new and laded with dew drops like crystals. She felt them in her breath, licked the water that condensed on her nose. This morning was sure to be damp though their was no sent of any stable rain about.

Off in the distance a sudden murmur broke out between the leaves and branches quarreled. But this was the only commotion to be heard. The sky lightened silently, creeping up to pounce on unaware warriors with their days duties in tow. Color gave life to the approaching sun, a backdrop for the days unfurling events. Now clouds draped themselves about, she was sure of this. The morning would be moist but followed quickly by sun that would drawl its mists into the heavens and capture them for another night.

Flystar smiled softly, content as ever to listen as the first ceremony began. Light danced threw the leaves and lit their faces, exposed their veins. Glimmering golden it sparkled down upon the land like a gem lit from the inside. It met her paws with warmth as it curled closely over the land and woke the trees needles. Birds shook there feathers and opened the day with sweet song. Ever melody and tune rushed from there beaks in a symphony of chaos. Somewhere in the distance of Flystars mind she found it all so new and special, even if this same stone had born her weight scores of times by now.

Easing her limbs, she shifted and finally pulled herself up. The world looked just how she’d expected it to with only a few flaws she’d intentionally left out. In camp they were easy to spot, every cat must have been aware of this growing pain. With the addition of Ghost just yesterday, Shadowclan were a formidable force. They did have problems like any clan would tough. One was Ghost, she had no idea what the rest of the clan though about there newest den mate. Another was under worked apprentices. Those little cats needed to be doing more then just lazing about! Then there was the new kit rough Maple. His arrival had been overshadowed by Ghosts so Flystar couldn’t see any problem.

Legs before her and back arched, she stretched and jogged towards the high stone. The little amber kits appearance would be made public very soon. She had some serious matters to take care of. An easy leap brought the leadress above camp. It would be interesting to see everyone’s opinion. This day would likely not go over as peacefully as it had begun. Regrettably she had to give it up. On her back was the sun, before her was Shadowclan, most probably about to be woken from very peaceful slumber. Let all cats old enough to catch their prey gather here below the high rock for a clan meeting. Loudly disturbing everyone, her voice was sure to get attention. There was a reason behind this necessity and it wasn’t because she was tired of everyone sleeping in.

Feeling very awake and bright eyed she waited for all Shadowclan to join her. This was one of the best parts of being a leader. Not only the ceremonies she preformed, but simply watching all those cats you love pad up was enough. Seeing there bright eyes and healthy pelts, it was always a wonder she’d done so well for them. Today would make a few choice cats life’s better or worse, depending on wether they took the leap to the next level or not. That was for them to decide.

[Rascally]

Ghost Had been out early this morning it was the day after she had been accepted into tHe shadowclan And she was so happy because of it. She was trotting back towards The camp entrance She had a robbin and a Magpie in her mouth. She picked up her pace. As she spotted the Entrane to her new home and she smiled to herself. She came To the Entrance and trotted Over to the prey pile. She dropped her Kills onto the pile just as she heard Flystar Call the clan together She quickly licked her lips. And padded towards where the Rest of the Clan was gathering She dipped her head respectfully To The Leader and settled down Flicking her tail back and forth Waiting.

[☮iSLY]

Softly snoozing in the apprentices' den, Sootpaw's lithe and small form could be seen slowly rising and falling.
His nose was tucked under his paws, while his legs were sprawled out comfortably behind him. He was located near the wall of the den, on the freshly collected moss from yesterday.

Sootpaw had been dead tired last night, with all the events that occurred yesterday, it had worn the poor tom out. First with Ghost showing up at the camp entrance, to Flystar accepting the she-cat into the clan, and to all the work the leader made Vinepaw and himself do, it was alot for one mentor-less apprentice to do!

Heck, he didn't even know why he was in trouble. He was a new apprentice, did Flystar expect him to know what to do when an intruder entered Shadowclan territory? Do what Vinepaw did and just sit down and have a conversation? No, he kept his guard up, and still got in trouble..

But easy come, easy go, he supposed...

After having a dream-less night, Sootpaw was awoken by the call of a clan meeting.
Eyes blinking open slowly, the grey and white splashed tom's head rose up as his forest green eyes took in the light of the den. It was dimly lit by the rising sun outside, and all in front of the tom was an empty den. Since obviously, the only apprentices for Shadowclan right now, was himself, and Vinepaw.

Stretching now, Sootpaw let out a long yawn, his body groaning at him to not move. But of course, he had to, when Flystar called a meeting, their wasn't any playing around. She was waiting, and he was already in enough trouble..

Rolling over onto his back, Sootpaw was in the motion of stretching once again, when he felt a warm and soft body meet his upper-half. He was surprised to find none other than Vinepaw sleeping soundly next to him.
Has she been here all night? He wondered as he tried to remember last night. It was alittle blurry, but he swore he remembered the she-cat a couple tail-lengths away last night...

Blushing now, Sootpaw quickly rolled opposite of where Vinepaw lay and sat up, moss flying from his quick movements.
Starclan. He thought as he stood up and shook his pelt, tail twitching oddly as he acted casual.
Hopefully Vinepaw hadn't felt too much of that...oh who was he kidding? He couldn't get out of bed even if a lazy knocked out badger was next to him without awakening it...

But Vinepaw should be awake anyway, Flystar had called the meeting.
He didn't know why, but the warmth that was once with him left, he rather enjoyed Vinepaw's company. This bothered him slightly, but should it? It was just Vinepaw, and she had probably gotten cold last night, and just decided to share the warmth, big deal. And, it wasn't like he had....some sort of feelings for her...
They were just friends, of course they were just friends!

Clearing his throat slightly now, in hopes of waking her up more, Sootpaw tried to stop thinking about it. He was more interested in what Flystar had to say today, introducing Ghost and all...and hey! Maybe he'll get a mentor! If he was lucky. News now, feelings lat- friends later! Gah!

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

Comfortably asleep, the beginning and end of Vinepaw was invisible in her camouflaged fur. She lay in a tight ball, tail wrapped circularly between her ears and her nose brushing her hind paws. After enjoying a surprisingly warm night she was only slowly letting the real world take hold. Like usual, dreams feathered the edge of her mind but they were comforting ones, not the type that brought fear. After working hard for the latter half of yesterday, the apprentice believed it to be time for a nice days sleep in. The sent of mouse bile still clung about her for paws, the only way to ease it was with them tucked under themselves and be half beneath her. This was the way she’d slept all night and though she was refreshed, Vinepaw needed a stretch.

Being just about to roll over something moved right next to her. Cracking an eye she spotted Sootpaw over in his den with clingy moss sticking to his fur. Can’t be graceful can he? Not agreeing with so suddenly getting up, her back crushed the most as she turned over. Yawning wildly she arched back on the ground and finally was fully awake. Cool air brushed her tongue and let lose a shiver down her back. How odd, the night had been warmer! This day was going to be cold, now that the sun was up it seemed to lazy to get on with its job. Her ears flattened and Sootpaw looked upside down from this position. Why are you us so early anyway? Batting a poorly aimed paw his direction she missed by a mile and suddenly realized she looked ridiculous.

Quickly sitting up Vinepaw tried to huddle close about herself and warm up a bit with her tail constricting her pawsn. Its freezing! I’m so heading out. Darting out, Vinepaw was quickly beneath the sun. Moss flung from her pelt as she shook and stuck her nose back in the den. Hey! Come out here Sootpaw it is sooo much warmer! Grabbing a patch of sunlight, her tongue got to work on her fur. It was all pesky today and stuck up at odd angles. She spotted a row of feathers lining her back bone to. Digging her claws in Vinepaw tried to get them out before Sootpaw showed up.

With this sticky situation going on, the weight of yesterdays event came back. The remembrance of that poorly spent day was crushing to her fairly nice morning. Suddenly she thought back to the den moments ago, Sootpaw had been looking at her funny! He probably thought she was such a failure, went and got them both in troubled she did! If only I’d just listened to him and acted like I was suppose to. Getting all friendly with a rough, what was I thinking. He probably thinks I’m mouse brained. She sighed, that had to be the reason for the look. Feeling down, Vinepaw still didn’t want him to see her looking so disheveled. Who ever thought it was a good idea to use feather as bedding anyway!

[Pyre]

{Pandapaw}

Pandapaw was asleep in the apprentices den, her white and black patches hidden within the shadows of the den. Little bits of light streamed in to land on the females sleeping frame. Slow and even breaths cause her chest to rise and fall slowly. Her rounded ears were flat against her skull as she dreamed. Her tail was curled around her body. Flystars voice caused her to flich, lifting her head up instantly. She had not expected it and so it scared her into reality. The she-cat gave a quick yawn, resting her head on her paws for a moment. She blinked from groggyness and slowly lifted it again. Her green eyes shimmered in the darkness of the den, and she slowly pushed herself into a sitting position.

Lifting her paw to her mouth she drew her tounge over it quickly. Giving it a few more licks before drawing it over her ears. She rubbed her face into her paws and glanced around. It seemed like everyone was already out in the clearing. Pandapaw got to her paws, shaking out her pelt quickly before trotting out of the den. The light greeted her and she blinked a couple times to get them to adjust. Glancing up at Flystar she smiled softly and started to walk out into the clearing. Her gaze ran along her clanmates before she took a spot near the front. Sitting back down she let her tail curl over her paws. She wondered what this meeting was about.

The light bounced off Pandapaws slender bodice, showing off her panda like coloring. Her rounded ears flicked with some excitement. Every meeting made her this way, it always meant something important was going to happen. She swiped her tounge along her chest a few times. Making her white fur glisten her tail flicked back around her paws, and she turned to look back up at her leader with curiosity.

[☮iSLY]

Sootpaw watched as Vinepaw exited out. He let out a sigh and shook his head, trying to clear his head.
I gotta stop with this daydreaming act. He thought as his tail twitched and he followed a few moments after Vinepaw.

He noticed that she was taking a groom[man, that sounded weird..o.O]
Not wanting to say anything, Sootpaw looked toward where all the shadowclan cats were gathering. He blinked and started padding over, taking a seat near the front.

{omg..that sucked. D:}

[Sheer]

The bipolar warrior Levinwing trotted into camp. His personality was currently at it's best: lighthearted and cheerful. But that could change in a split heartbeat. Then he would become aggressive and overreact to the slightest annoyance. Even his fighting style was highly influenced by his current mood. When he is how he is now his fighting moves are mostly toying and and feinting, the attacks are less accurate and have little force behind them. But when he changes his attacks become deadly with accuracy and lethal force. At that time he'll overreact and try to kill the thing he sees as a nuisance. He'd even threaten the life of someone that "nuisance" cares about. But taking his mind off of his random uncontrollable emotions before they actually changed he concentrated on Flystar's words.

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

Seated as she was atop the clans meeting rock, Flystar found it easy to scan the crowd and pick those cats she’d be calling upon. There pelts and faces were so familiar that even from this odd angle they were clear to her. All looked interested from what she could tell. More to her surprise was the relatively low amounts of whispering going on. Surely they’d all be talking about her decision to let two new cats join yesterday? That was encuraging, maybe she had earned there trust enough not to be challenged when it came to such matters. There was nothing Flystar wanted nothing less then to go threw an argument with them. Partly because she couldn’t be sure some of her decisions were the best ones. Blank eyed she gazed down. Today and the following moons would prove a test for all she called.

The arrival of a full grown cat may have made headline news threw out camp, but the she cat felt it likely there second new member had gone more unnoticed. His appearance had been overshadowed by Ghosts creamy flowing fur. It was for the best, no young cat wanted to be infamous or under a negative spotlight. Even if the newest youngest member preferred to remain anonymous, Flystar was going to half to make his arrival public. Not in the way all those below were perhaps expecting though. She had no intentions of inviting a debate if no cat saw fit to call one up. Reading herself, Flystar planned to just get on with business.

I have called you all here today for one of my favorite types of meetings, today is the apprentice ceremonies! Suddenly ringing out, Flystars face did look proud of her clan and exited for this next journey for there young members. The first pairing on her list was also the closest in her thoughts for she had plans to join these half seasons’ mentors. I have decided to take Maplepaw as my new apprentice. To him I will teach all my skill as a hunter, a warrior and a member of this clan. Halting in her speech briefly, she remembered what it had been like for her as an apprentice. Below shed sat, totally interested and buzzing with excitement. It had been a waste though. She couldn’t have gotten a worse mentor if a fat old elder had been picked. Overcoming every obstacle, Flystar felt skilled despite lack of early training and had already mentored wonderful apprentices in the past.

Swiftly forgetting these thoughts, Levinwing will mentor Pandapaw! I believe he has the capability and the knowledge to take on his first apprentice. I can trust all he knows will be passed to her. Breathing deeply, for speaking loudly and so much was tiring, Flystar continued. Shadeclaw shall be the mentor of Vinepaw! He to is ready to take his first apprentice. As a warrior of many experiences I expect him to keep her interested and teach her every ability needed to be a warrior. Three of four done. Having been exited this whole time, she was even more so now. Partly she wondered if this was the right choice. Though they may never be friends it was her opinion that this was the strongest apprentice to take the job. Sootpaw’s new mentor will be Ghost! She has had a life of adventure and gained many unique ideas and skills from it. These I expect her to pass on to Sootpaw as I expect her to confide in her fellow mentors as she trains about our code and way of life. It is a learning experience for both. Smiling now, her eyes glittered warmly down upon all the cats. Without hesitation Flystar leaped to the ground in search of Maplepaw and ended the ceremonies with no other word.

[☮iSLY]

Sootpaw listened as Flystar spoke, his ears perking up as she countined on. Since she was doing all the apprentice ceremonies..it wasn't going to be long until he got a mentor...

'Sootpaw's mentor will be Ghost!'

[/i]

The grey and white colored apprentice froze, and his jaw slowly started to fall.
Ghost?! He thought as he glanced around at where the new member was.
This was unexpected. He got GHOST?! Why Ghost?! She wasn't even...even a clan cat! How could Flystar even..-

Sootpaw stood up quickly, his tail twitching back and fourth as he tried to calm himself. It wasn't that he was...worried about being mentored by a non-clan cat, but it was just...strange.

Ghost did seem like a nice cat, and she might know a thing or two about hunting..but what about fighting?! Where was she even from again?
The tom watched as the other apprentices looked around excitedly for their mentors. Sootpaw was everything but excited. He was freaking spazzing! But why should he be?
This was all messed up, perhaps if he talked with Flystar she would reconsider...?
No, that wouldn't be right, Flystar's decision is Flystar's decision, and who was he to question it?

Might as well live with it.. He thoughts as he stood there. He didn't exactly know where the cream-furred she-cat was at the moment. He wondered how the others would react, he knew Vinepaw would be estatic. Pfh, just like her, she's basically BFF with that rogue.[/blockquote]

[Sheer]

Levinwing looked away, not from pride though. He wasn't pleased at all about getting an apprentice. He wasn't fit for one, his uncontrolable temper and when he does lose his temper. He'll have to talk to Flystar about this, there is no way he can possibly be a sucessful mentor. It's for the apprentice's own good.

[Rascally]

Ghost Heard that Sootpaw was going to be Her apprentice. She thought for a moment and laid down she watched the young toms Action of when he heard the news and she rolled her eyes slightly. Of course He would Think that She was not good at anything cause she was not a clan Cat. She rested her head on her paws. And let out a sigh hearing the chatter of the Excited Apprentice's knowing they now had mentors.

[Sheer]

"Don't feel so down Ghost, young cats don't know anything until they've experienced it for themselves." Levinwing bitterly mewed. His mood was on the verge of changing, into that dangerous monster. In the middle of the camp was no where to do that. He'll probably have to go out into the marshes to wear himself out, maybe his mood wouldn't even change around this time. Bipolarness, the gifts and the curses.

[Demon the Monsta]

~Wary~

Maplepaw walked stiffly over to his new mentor. She had saved his life, and that was enough to trust the cat. Maplepaw eyed all the other cats warily. Why had he agreed to join the clan again? Oh yes, he had no home now... and this was his best chance of survival. Trying to be more like his self he bounced cheerily over to Flystar.

Blinking the wariness look out of his eyes he looked up at the tall leader. He had the leader as his mentor... the leader! Of the entire clan, he was so lucky!

His weariness was soon fading as he walked up to Flystar. He was ready for this! He was going to be the best apprentice in the forest.

~Memories~

Maple raced along side his best friend... Red. "I'll beat you there!" Maple exclaimed and ran to the river. The river was small and easy to jump over. He cleared it in one leap and continued on until he reached the dead tree. He spun around to see Red right there. The large cat bowled into him knocking them over until they were rolling down a hill. When the hill ended they were both covered in twigs and leafs.

"You will be the fastest runner in the forest if you keep this up." Red mewed to Maple. Maple glowed with happiness, and almost burst with joy when Red continued. "You will become the best cat the forest has ever seen."


Maplepaw sat down suddenly at the memory. His eyes washed over with grief at the memory of his beloved friend. The abrupt movement of sitting down must have caught some cats eyes but he didn't care. He missed Red... bad.

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

Amongst all the new mentors and apprentices, Flystar felt there uncomforted like ants stinging her back. Not everyone looked too pleased. It mad her sad, this was suppose to be one of the happiest night of there life. Ears swiveling she listened as soft gasps and groans wrung out. No one was happy but there was little the leader could do to change that. Had no one realized Shadowclan was out of warriors? All but three of there clan now were touching noses with their new apprentices. She had tried to make the best choice for all of them! Keenly watching each cats face Flystar felt and internal sigh. This was something she’d thought long and hard over. The leadress hated to say it, but all of them were just going to half to live with her decision.

Once discernable cat did look pleased enough. His steady steps were matched with watchful eyes that flickered so rapidly it looked as if he expected any one of the other cats to leap upon him. It would take time for Maplepaw to feel comfort here she knew. He would need to make friends and understand clan life better before that could happen. At least at her the tom looked at ease though and her confidence in him grew.

Taking over the last tail lengths between them, Flystar caught a look of memory in his eyes. Being tall she had to bend to touch noses with him. A true smile shining over her features as his face came back into view. Already she was proud Maplepaw had come this far. Only a day ago her teeth had caught him drowning yet look how he was now! A strong young cat that she knew would take full advantage of clan life. Perhaps he was even ready for a first lesson? Do you feel like heading out today? I need to show you the clan borders but its quite a long walk.

[☮iSLY]

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Sootpaw thought over his mentor choice again and decided he shouldn't be upset with Flystar's decsion. Atleast he got a mentor! And it was kinda neat to have Ghost as his mentor, it would be a different experience..and plus, she could teach him things that even the other warriors or even Flystar didn't know!

Sootpaw's tail twitched and he turned and saw Ghost finally, he felt abit bad when he saw she had her head on her paws.
..Is she upset? He wondered, feeling alittle awkward.

He let out a small sigh and started padding over to his new mentor. He let a small smile show and he came up infront of the cream-colored warrior.
"Hey Ghost." He meowed, catching her eye, "You know we're supposed to touch noses right?" he asked in a nice tone, his eyes showing kind-ness.

He would slowly start lighting up to Ghost. Did it really matter if she wasn't born in Shadowclan? She was apart of the clan now, so it really didn't matter. He waited for his mentor to touch noses with him, his grey and white fur glowing in the patch of sun-light that peeked it's way through the thick Shadowclan pine trees.