Camp Clearing ;;

[FIRESTRIPE ❥]

This wide open area in the middle of camp is a great place for Thunderclan to lie down and relax. It is a favourite spot to eat, share tounges, or both on the warm sandy ground, or in the cool grassy shadows around the edge. The clan gathers here under the highrock when a meeting is called by the clan leader.

[☮iSLY]

Soft paw steps could be heard coming in from Thunderclan's thorn tunnel entrance.
Ears prickled and tail high, the young medicine cat apprentice Blazepaw appeared.

In his mouth was an asortment of different looking herbs. His eyes were slightly dull looking, but his trot didn't show his tiredness. His fur was alittle ruffled, since it was windy out today, and even in the thick Thunderclan forest, the wind carried through to mess up any cats' well groomed fur. Plus, all that dust made his coat tinted in brown.

I can't believe I couldn't find any Goldenrod. The tom thought as he trotted over towards the medicine cats' den, his tail twitching slightly.
Well atleast I got the; Poppy Seeds, and Daisy and Ragwort leaves He decided, seting down the herbs near the exit to catch his breath.
He blinked and looked around to see who all was around, he wondered where his mentor went off to. Still out finding cobwebs perhaps?

Sitting down now, Blazepaw drew a paw over his face, wincing at the brown dust on his pink pads as he examined his paw.

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

Pleasantly located amongst the tall grasses along the camp wall lay Baypaw. His rather large gray from had collapsed on one side with limbs all sprawled out and his yellowish green eyes closed. His fur had the texture of velvet and yet was thick enough to make even this breezy day to hot. It was the reason for his present inactiveness amongst the stalks and the shade. The ground was cool here and bits of sunlight flecked his pelt between the leaves making his underlying silver coat glitter.

With an ear to the forest floor Baypaw heard the rhythmic steps of some cat returning from the forest. They sounded light, almost like the cat above those paws didn’t want to be noticed. His back arched and paws flailed in the sky before the young tom rolled over, stretched again, and got up. Blinking back the day’s brightness, his fur blew off dust as he shook and spotted Blazepaws ginger and white from disappearing into the medicine cats den.

Gently he shifted and sat. A thought had struck him, should he take some prey to Blazepaw? He wasn’t sure if that was considered appropriate or not, they were both still apprentices. But it must be lonely, being the only medicine cat apprentice. He mused silently. Abruptly the stormy tom stood and bounded over to the fern filled dens. If Blazepaw was feeling a bit tired of being by himself, Baypaw planned to ask him to have a piece of prey with him. He slipped beneath the firnds into the Medicine cats area, a strange assortment of scents hung in the air here but he easily picked out the other tom.

Padding up he noted his fellow apprentice examining his own paw, bent over in the same way Baypaw himself had done before his pads had started to harden. “Hey.” He called as the distance between them lessened. “Want to join me for a bight of prey? It’s always good to eat after you’ve been out for a while.” He recommended, though he was aware that if any cat knew what was best, it would be the one he was staring at. He wasn’t one to worry over his words though, Baypaw just wanted to help out.

[☮iSLY]

{blazepaw was actually outside the med cat den, but i'll just move it inside. lawlz}

Puting down his paw, Blazepaw just shrugged off the fact dust was all over him. He had more important things to do than groom his messy fur right now anyway.

But where was his blasted mentor at?

Now standing again, Blazepaw picked up the poppyseeds carefully into his mouth and located the spot where they would be stocked up. While placing the small seeds down, Blazepaw's ears prickled when he heard the sound of quick paw-steps coming to wards him.

The orange/white tom scented the tom before he heard him say anything. It was Baypaw. Hazel eyes casting over to meet with yellow-green orbs, Blazepaw watched as the silver tom appeared through the entrance.

'Hey' He heard Baypaw greet, as the apprentice approached.

What's Baypaw doing in here? No one usually talks to me while I'm working. The learning medicine cat apprentice thought, blinking in greeting to Baypaw.
well..I guess I'm just thinking too much into it, I mean, it's not like I'm an alien to my clan-mates, especially the other apprentices.

'Want to join me for a bight of prey? It’s always good to eat after you’ve been out for a while'
Blazepaw's ears perked up slightly at the mention of food. It was true, he had been out for awhile, and his stomach reminded him quite often that it was time for a bite to eat.

Glancing to wards his stack of herbs briefly, and then back to the tom, Blazepaw cracked a small smile.
"Sure, thanks. Let me just get the rest of these put up." Came Blazepaw's grateful reply.

Just now remembering that Baypaw was a newly made apprentice, made Blazepaw feel alittle dumb. When was his ceremony, what? Almost six days ago? Wow wee.
Time flies I suppose.. The orange tom thought as he stared at Baypaw, remembering seeing him in the nursery when he was just five moons old.

Stooping down to pick up the two leaf herbs, Blazepaw put them both in two separate piles near the back of the den, tail flicking back in fourth rhythmically. He listened to see if Baypaw would say more, if not, he was sure ready for some mouse about now!

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

(Oh sorry I got a bit mixed up, Thanks though!)


“Alright, I’ll just wait back here” Baypaw answered agreeably. His little spirit bounced with energy inside, it always brightened his day to see others smiling. Blazepaw returned to his work arranging various herbs and for a moment the young tom was left to his own devices. Bending his head, interest carried his paws off to one side where he caught a glimpse of his bright pelted clan mate’s work.

Baypaw couldn’t help inching forward until the dark outlines of each leaf became visible. At one time he remembered dreaming of herbs and the shade of the medicine cats den. Though he wasn’t against fighting, the tom found it far more in his nature to help then hurt. Those days as a kit weren’t long gone, he still remembered his parents voice saying Blazepaw was already the medicine cat’s apprentice. For a good time the news had hung like a wet cloud over Baypaw.

Now those old thoughts were returning but for the moment he had no interest in mentioning them. None of these things were Blazepaws fault, or for that matter anyone’s. Starclan must have chosen a different path for me. He thought and finally tore his eyes away from the dim site. Pulled from his memories Baypaw realized he was practically crowding out all the available light needed for sorting.

Shifting around he crouched low with his stomach brushing the ground, in youthful bell tones his mew called in, “How do you even tell them apart?” And then his teeth snapped shut and his body tensed under his fur. That hadn’t been what he’d wanted to say. He had meant to ask if Blazepaw was ready but apparently his tongue was more connected to those suppressed dreams then his right mind. Quickly he sat up and attempted an only mildly interested face with his tail wrapped over his paws. He couldn’t tell if this was believable or not he didn’t want to talk about those old secrets and yet they seemed dieing to be heard

[☮iSLY]

Blazepaw sniffed to make sure he had put each herb in he right spot. Satisfied that he had done so, he couldn't help but feel Baypaw's eyes on him as he worked, and then see a shadow come over the herb stacks, of course, confirmed that Baypaw was indeed watching what he had done.

Which of course, he didn't mind, everyone was curious about things in a medicine cats den, since it was new to the new-bees, Blazepaw liked to call them. The ones who didn't have a stinking clue about what herb is what, and what it does to them.

Chuckling inwardly at the thought, made Blazepaw remember the other day when he was tending to Sapphiresong, the retired warrior queen. She didn't have a clue what he was giving her to stop her pains in her left hip, which she said had been bothering her for the past three days.

But of course, Sapphiresong was an elder...and her memory wasn't the best. But still! It was quite humorous sometimes, when you know something another doesn't. It makes a cat wonder if brain over brawn wins all? Even in battle, warriors need to use logic and brain to outwit their opponents..

Flicking away with his tail, the thoughts of warriors, Blazepaw jumped abit when he heard Baypaw speak.

'How do you even tell them apart?' He made out the young apprentice's curious mew.
Regaining composure, Blazepaw turned around to face the upright tom and thought over his answer momently.

"Well, for one, each herb has a distinct scent to it, and two, the dimensions and colors of the leaves, seeds, or roots of the herb help me tell them apart." Blazepaw explained all-knowingly.
The orange furred tom glanced at the nearest herb siting on the nearest spot; Burdock Root.

"That there is Burdock root, the easiest way to find it, is to look for the dark green, kinda star-shaped small plant on the floor of a mostly weed filled area." The tom went on further, getting into a full-blown lesson already.
"Plus the leaves have distinct look to them..." He added with a shrug, looking back to Baypaw. "A very EASY herb to find out in the forest is, Goldenrod, which is usually used in a poultice to treat aching joints. You must have to be blind to miss it. It grows on tall stems and sticks out like a white cats' bloody paw." The tom meowed on more, smiling slightly.

He paused or a beat and then finished, "Most of them are easy to distinguish, but only a few look similar and can be real hard to find. One herb hard to find is Catmint, used to treat whitecough and greencough, and to also relax any cat." After he had quite explaining it all, Blazepaw smiled big, glad he had already memorized that much of the long list of herbs.

Blazepaw usually ranted like a mad fox when it came to medicine cat related questions. He hoped he answered Baypaw's question good enough.

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

Sure enough, Baypaws eyes grew wide in amazement as Blazepaw launched into discussion. It seemed the older apprentice new his trade well and was certain of every word he spoke as he described various plants and the mysterious things they could do. When used properly He thought, already deeply sucked into the conversation. Eagerly his tail tip twitched back and forth, his shoulders hunched forward as if he were leaning into every word to better understand it. Fascinated, he readily watched Blazepaw point out Burdock root and launch into a description of the plant above it.

Pointed leaves filled his thoughts, the varying textures and shapes of the foliage that he had gone recently ignored by him. “Goldenrod” he murmured under his breath as Blazepaws string of words continued and formed into a daunting list. Still paying avid attention a thought toyed in the back of his mind, I’ve seen it! I know I have, or something really close to it. Must have been the first time my mentor took me out. Certain he knew of the plant, he tried to picture Catmint as Blazepaw finished, bright gaze had drifted to his paws as he thought silently he willed the other cat to go on and tell him where to find Catmint but Blazepaw was smiling now, clearly pleased and done talking.

His multi-colored wishers bounced as his head snapped up to stair, clearly awe struck, at the ginger and white Blazepaw. That’s amazing! I must be hard to remember so much! The end of his fur quivered in excitement though already the descriptions were fading. Silently he tried to will himself to remember, maybe in the future he could help somehow? His mind formed a thousand different ideas, ways he could accomplish his dream and some how learn the forests hardest trade. Slowly though, for Baypaw was no fool, realization wrapped its long fingers about him and he sagged slightly. It was no good, these things weren’t ever going to happen. He needed to just give it up right now and not worry about it any more.

This dismal thought was perhaps what lead to his following words, You know it must be hard to fill up the leaf-bear store and it sounds like you know so much, I’d love to hear more. If you want I could maybe help out sometime carrying plants and stuff back? His tail batted the camp floor eagerly, the face staring up at Blazepaw was filled with such energy. Baypaw pulled himself up and smiled brightly as his stomach rumbled, truly hungry now. Want to think about it as we eat? He suggested, head tilting to the side as his mew slid out, already he’d angled towards the den opening.

[☮iSLY]

Blazepaw noticed that Baypaw's eyes were wide as two moons and he looked very awe-struck to say the least.

wow, I actually amazed someone with my herb speech! The orange tom thought, his tail flicking in amusement at the eager looking Baypaw.

'That’s amazing! It must be hard to remember so much!'

Blazepaw chuckled lightly at this comment.
not if you have a memory storage system as big as mine, I assure you.. The medicine cat apprentice thought, now sitting.

The orange tom couldn't help but see a change in posture in the silver cat before him. What was Baypaw thinking about anyway?
I wonder if Baypaw ever had the thought of becoming the medicine cat apprentice... The far-off thought came to Blazepaw as he stared at the young apprentice.

His ears prickled as he heard what Baypaw said next. He actually wanted to help with herb stocking? Hmm, he'd never met another cat in his short training period who wanted to help out.
Would his mentor mind? Probably not, the more help the better of course! And, Thunderclan needed as much help in the medicine department as it could get; leaf-bare was on the way.


Looking at Baypaw now, he saw much energy in the young tom. He wondered momently if he'd been assigned a mentor yet...if so, he'd not been paying attention to who he was assigned.
His eyes showed amusement as he heard Baypaw's stomach growl and the big smile plastered on the silver tom's face.
Nodding and standing up now, Blazepaw let a small smile show, "You can help out, I mean, I'm sure it's okay with my mentor; it's always nice to have extra help, especially in this range of work." He mewed lightly, his face skeptical, as he thought over his decision once more.

He started heading out the exit as he stated, "Let's go eat now, before your stomach growling wakes up the kits in the nursery!" He grinned toothily, looking to the small tom-cat.
Baypaw must have thought about becoming the medicine cat apprentice once before...I don't know any regular apprentice in training to become a warrior be so interested in medicine cat things....I wonder how well he'll remember the herbs I teach him... Blazepaw paused momently as he thought this.
Wow, I'm sounding like I'm medicine cat already, I'm just an apprentice, and I don't think apprentices can take on their own apprentices. He mused, whiskers twitching as he carried on through the fern exit, waiting for Baypaw to join him.

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

Thank you! Just call on me any time ok? Pyrestrom won’t mind sparing me for such an important assignment. He answered and for just a moment Blazepaw passed him up, the toms gift of approval still echoed in Baypaws silver ears. He hadn’t noticed anything after the tom had agreed. Some how, with a rather traitorous tongue and in a round about way, he had just been granted the ability to help the medicine cats out! Even if it was in such a small way as carrying herbs back to this den. Excitement picked his paws up and, though he’d planned on trotting after Blazepaw like a reasonable cat, he raced ahead and only just managed to skid to a halt outside the fern den.

His tail formed waves behind him like a vine caught in the breeze as he remembered one of his most important duties, Oh yea! One sec, I should probably see if they want anything, the queens get hungry a lot. Be back to join you in a sec. He padded off more slowly now, apparently taking Blazepaws words to heart, and treaded on gentle steps. Entering the nursery was no difficulty at all. The warm darkness engulfed his fur as he searched out anyone lacking a piece of kill. With a silent exit he trotted back towards the fresh kill pile and grabbed two mice and disappeared again.

Upon his return Baypaw looked pleased and made for the fresh kill pile this time with the intent of feeding himself. The wind hadn’t died down yet and the various feathers and fur from the days catch looked ruffled. A small vole caught his attention and he grasp it before looking for an out of the way place to eat. His fur rustled as he made for the shade where the grass was still bent and patted down. With a paw holding it down he bit in and enjoyed the first bites of lunch as he waited for Blazepaw.

[☮iSLY]

Blazepaw nodded as Baypaw husled off towards the nursery.
oh yeah! Now I remember, Pyrestorm is his mentor...wow, I can't believe I forgot, Pyrestorm is the deputy for crying out loud! The orange tom thought as he headed toward the freash-kill pile.

It was pretty well stocked, seeing a good selection. Pyrestorm was probably out on a patrol, their would be more prey when the return he guessed.
Snatching up a plump brown mouse for himself,Blazepaw headed toward the spot he saw the returning Baypaw go to.

He sure is a peppy one. Blazepaw mused as he approached where the silver apprentice was settled.
Wish I was that happy all the time; I wonder how hard it is to train to be a warrior anyway.

Taking a seat next to Baypaw, the young apprentice layed on his belly and held down the mouse with one paw.

[Pyre]

* Hailpaw *

Hailpaw trailed along behind Pyrestorm who was leading the potrol. The slender female slowly fllowed. She had been up since dawn training and then she happend to be at the wrong place at he wrong time. And so Pyrestorm dragge her off on a border potrol. It wasnt all bad though, she did catch a few pieces of prey to bring back. Which she hid near the camp entrance. The white and grey tabby female, stoping giving a yawn before continuing on. Her paws tredded slowly behind everyone. She just wanted to to lay down for a bit.

She didnt have to sleep but just lay down. Pyrestorm glanced at her, frowning. She pouted in responce but looked to ehr paws as she trotted along. She heard him sigh but ingored it, and ended up running into his legs. She fell onto her rear and shook her head Lifting her icy gaze she frowned. "Sorry." she mewedgetly and looked to her paws. 'Go ahead on back to camp, youve been worked hard enough today' Hailpaw blinked in surprise but did not object. She got to her paws, dipping her head before turning back towards camp. A sigh of relief escaped her maw as the female slowly moved back towards camp.

Her ears flicked back and forth as she moved. Her slender form glistened in the light as she broke off into a faster trot. The quicker she moved the quicker she would get back. Leaping over a few of the larger roots she slid into a stop. Unburrying her prey and bent down her head. When she lifted it, in her jaw was a mouse and a magpie. Her icy stare glittered with a silent pride as she turned towards the opening of the camp. Walkig in she stopped, spotting Blazepaw by the fresh kill pile and Baypaw running off somewhere.

Turning she rested her gaze on the tom and slowly made her way over there. Each paw step seemed more uneasy. Hailpaw relax hes your clanmate! she told herself mentally and trotted a bit quicker onlyto drop her prey into the pile. She caught his gaze. She knew she couldnt just walk awaynow, it was rude. So she smiled quickly and lifted her head slowly. "Good evening Blazepaw." she mewed quickly her voice soft as always.

[☮iSLY]

Blazepaw looked to Baypaw, seeing that the young apprentice was quite hungry. He himself was, but not as much as his friend. He usually took the smallest mouse from the pile. Smiling curiously at Baypaw momently, Blazepaw bent down to take a bite out of the mouse be got for himself.

When doing so he caught the gaze of a pair of ice blue eyes. Freezing, Blazepaw immediately knew who it was; Hailpaw.
He had his mouth open to take a bite of the mouse, but couldn't close them for some reason.
He realzed how stupid he must look like this and slowly closed his mouth and raised his head, watching as the young she-cat padded over towards where he lay.
just be cool Blazepaw; it's only Hailpaw... The orange and white furred tom thought quickly, tail flicking back and fourth timidly.

'Good Evening Blazepaw.'

Blazepaw blinked and smiled smally at Hailpaw. Having to force himself to say something back, the young apprentice mewed, "Evening Hailpaw." His hazel eyes stared softly into her piercing blue ones.
why does she have to have those dazzleing blue orbs? Blazepaw wondered aweingly.

Suddenly Blazepaw wondered if he should even be thinking about how dazzeling Hailpaw's eyes were. You could do that right? Be a medicine cat apprentice and think your clan-mates' eyes are dazzling? Of course you could! Why couldn't he?

Dismissing those distracting thoughts, Blazepaw blinked quickly and stared down at the mouse infront of him.
"So, uh, how was the patrol?" He asked in a soft meow, knowing that she had been on one, being able to scent where she had been just moments ago. Sometimes his nose came in handy, atleast he said something after a greeting to her!

[ḞḶIṆṪ]

The poor little vole was half devoured but Baypaw felt much better. Today he hadn’t done much of anything but laze about camp so for once he’s appetite was quickly subdued. Swallowing a small bone a pink tongue swiped away any hit of a stain upon his fur. Large limbs shifted so his back half was on one side and his front half lay still up right. Good to see you again Hailpaw. He mewed with an easy flick of the tail.

At least shes been out doing something for Thunderclan. And what have you done? The mostly eaten prey beside him looked like a greedy take. Unfortunatly it still needed to be eaten and he uneasily took another big bite to finish it up. Partly he wondered where Pyrestorm was. It had been his hope to use the last days of green-leaf to do a lot of training since he’d be a warrior in the winter.

Hailpaw, have you seen Pyrestorm? He meowed, thinking his mentors sent was about her just a bit. No way to know for sure though, it wasn’t like she couldn’t have met him some where in camp. Next to him a change had come of Blazepaw. Though he couldn’t place it Baypaw felt certain something was going on with his dining mate. For one, Blazepaw didn’t seem like the kind of cat to say ‘uh’, that kind of language wasn’t his style.

Blinking he elected to ignore it. Instead turned his full attention back to Hailpaw, hoping silently that he hadn’t missed her words. Nothing would be more rude then to ask a question and completely miss the answer. He wasn’t like that. When talking Baypaw almost always gave his companions his full attention and never brushed them off. Ears perked forward he stared up at Hailpaws stunning blue eyes. She could really use those as a weapon. The thought echoed in the back of his mind but this time Baypaw refused to get lost in his inner thoughts and waited.

[Pyre]

* Hailpaw *

Hailpaw froze as his eyes landed on her and she blinked quickly and lifted her head the rest of the way. Not a good idea... she thought to herself and shifted on her paws a bit. She smiled quickly and started to back away, slowly. But stopped as he spoke to her, her body instantly froze. And she felt as if she couldnt move again. The both seemed to be a bit uneasy and she tore her gaze away and onto her own fur. Which she started to groom at quickly. Keeping the blush from taking over her cheeks. She sat down quickly so she didnt look like a big idiot in front of him.

"So, uh, how was the patrol?"

Hailpaw tilted her head back towards the tom cat. She was a bit confused as to how he knew that she was on a potrol before. He must be really observing her to know that. With that thought she blushed and lowered her head quickly. "I..um it was fine." she studdered shyly and blinking her striking blue pools sheepishly. Her ears slowly lowered onto her skull showing off her rather pretty face, as the coal black of her nose glittered softly against her patched tabby pelt. She turned her attention to Baypaw as he came back over. She pressed her lips into a soft smile.

Good to see you again Hailpaw.

Hailpaw nodded but looked to her paws. Her paw drawing circles before her. She never socialised very much and she was a bit umcomfortible, but maybe she could get used to it. Hopefully was a better word, no one liked a skittish she-cat like her. Everyone found her weak and a lost cause for interaction. Ifo nly they knew how hard she did try.

Hailpaw, have you seen Pyrestorm?

She turned her striking blue eyes onto the tom cat again. Blushing as she stoped her paw was drawing circles and had it fall back to the ground. "I..... was with him on potrol just now. He should be coming back soon, after he checks the borders." she replied softly, it always seemed that Pyrestorm was such a busy bee. Very active and getting to his potrols. Hailpaw bit her lip, which actually gave off an adorible look about her as she struggled for some words. how hard can it be to start a conversation?! she mentally snapped at herself. "So, how have you two been?" she mewed gently and looked at both toms in turn.

[☮iSLY]

'I..um it was fine.'

He heard her say. Hailpaw had such a soft voice, sometimes it was hard to actually hear.
He nodded his head shortly and noticed how shy she seemed to be.
well, it's Hailpaw, she's always shy around others. The orange colored medicine cat apprentice thought as his hazel eyes lowered to stare down at his dusty paws.

He couldn't help but notice how cute the she-cat before him looked before his gaze lowed.
She sure is cute... He thought, a blush creeping onto his cheeks suddenly.

Now aware of his thought, Blazepaw mentally scolded himself.
Stop thinking that about her! Your a medicine cat in training, remember? His inner voice told him snappishly.
You can't be thinking about one of your clan-mates like that; besides why would she even like you?
Ears now pressing back to his head slightly, the tom shifted slightly, as if he had a sore leg and was easing the pressure on it.

'So, how have you two been?'

Now seeming to come back to reality, Blazepaw looked up into the eyes of Hailpaw, hearing her question.

Ears perking up now, in order to save himself from questioning of why they were like that, the tom replied smally, "I've been fine." His tail tapped the ground slowly, as he studied Hailpaw's expression.
He still had his mouse and hadn't taken one bite of it, too distracted probably. He'd have to be careful, unless he wanted Baypaw to eat it!
The thought made a sudden smile come across his face, one that he barely showed anymore; like their was anything to laugh about, but Baypaw was quite the comedian in the clan, so why not laugh? Or at least to him he was.
Blazepaw looked at Baypaw beside him, an excuse so he wouldn't have to look at Hailpaw, only those thoughts would come to mind...and he was a medicine cat in training. So he couldn't have, or gain any feelings for Hailpaw, that was against medicine cat ways....