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Post by .Whitey. on Feb 8, 2009 10:08:52 GMT -5
The sky was a dark pink colour, it was sunrise. Almost like home, there was a small ledge where the medicine cat would be able to stare out across the plains at Highstones. She'd been there once, envisioning StarClan, when she was a young apprentice. It was funny it seemed how Stringflight had suddenly had to fill the roll of Medicine Cat when her mentor passed on her duties to the young she-cat. The white and black pelted femme was only 15 moons old, quite young for a Medicine Cat, alas, it couldn't be helped. The sky glowed with the sunrise and as the clouds tried hopelessly to stop the sun from rising, her light blue eyes felt a glimmer of homesickness.
Here she was, amidst a Clan of cats who would be happy to kill them as quickly as it would be for their LEader to give the order; it didn't exactly give off a warm welcome. Though, they had been here for a long time now, with little pride but enough to stay strong. Stringflight brought a skinny, leaf smelling paw over her nose thoughtfully, while letting her tail rest on her backpaws. There was nothing she could do. [/center] |
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Post by blackie on Feb 19, 2009 13:45:20 GMT -5
His eyes looked at her. She was young, only 5 moons older than he. He remembered when her mentor had passed on and she had not a choice but to take her spot. It was a hard job to do being young. Sometimes you couldn't help but blame yourself for events that happened, even if it wasn't your fault. He cocked his head to the side and pulled his ears back. He wasn't a friendly tom. He always tried to over power others who were weaker than he was. Perhaps this is why Dewstar and Oakstorm told him that if he didn't start respecting others, when he died, Starclan would not take him. The thought never really struck him until now.
His multi-brown pelt bristled as he looked at her. It seemed that she longed to be home. Back in the marshes were your paws would sink inches below the earthen surface. We all did. All of the Shadowclan cats seemed to long to be back in their own dens. It's not that they weren't grateful for the hospitality that they received but who would want to stay in a clan, where to leaders, two deputies, two of all the high ranks were able to tell you what to do. One was enough. He knew that the thought wasn't respectful, but it was his own opinion and if Starclan banned him from becomming one of them, well, he would start his own clan of dead warriors. Brackenclan.
He chuckled almost silently but couldn't help but let it slip. He would go to Starclan. Everyone did unless they performed a murder of cold blood. He sighed, she needed to talk to someone. Talking always made things better whether you wanted to admit that or not. His paws started moving, faster then his mind could control his thoughts. "Be nice Brackenpaw, remember, you want to be the warrior or apprentice that was honored for doing something nice instead of doing something rotten. You are a bad bad kitty sometimes."
"Stringflight, you look like you need to talk to someone, and well, I saw you from the ledge over there and thought I would come over and see how you were doing. Well... whats wrong with you?" He knew he sounded hasty, wanting to get away from the situation he put himself in. However he still stayed. He knew his tone was sharp and sounded unkind, but he wasn't the kindest cat. Not since... Not since Rockfall. Stringflight probably knew about that. She would have been about 9 moons then. A little bit before her mentors death. Brackenpaw would never forgive himself for what happened to his brother. He looked up towards were the sun was beginning to rise, turning the sky a shade of pink and orange. It was like this at home. He and his brother would do this all the time. Watch the golden rays set beyond the horizon and rise above the mountains.
"Are you watching me Rockfall? Do you see me from up there? You must know I am trying so hard to change, but how can I change when I don't have my noble brother to tell me from white and wrong. I have no one but my own mind to tell me what to do. You had always been there. Now you are not. Can you really blame me? Or no matter what do you have the pride on your eyes are your star now disappears?Do I remind you of how you used to act as an apprentice? I want to be like you... I know I look just like you, but why aren't I respected like you used to be? His thoughts carried him to his brother. Questions exploded into his mind. He couldn't help but to act the way he did. One day, he would avenge his death. And Brackenpaw would finally be able to rest in peace....
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Post by .Whitey. on Feb 19, 2009 14:52:04 GMT -5
The set of sky blue eyes turned over to stare at Brackenpaw. The images rushed through her head, as it was a Medicine Cats custom to remember all the deaths in their Clan, and the white femme could remember Rockfall's death well, and how could she not when as she stared into the younger tom's eyes, it seemed they tingled with memory of his long past brother. Brackenpaw, what brings you out so early? she asked placidly, her voice seemed a lot older than it was.
In all honesty, Stringflight had a substantial change when her mentor had died, from the bouncy and forgetful kit that had once walked through the dense tree's of Shadowclan now stood this young cat who sounded a lot older than she appeared, someone with more wisdom. The white she-cat noticed the uneasy tension that was fixated around Brackenpaw, was it that hard to talk to one so soft-spoken as Stringflight ? That she couldn't answer, though, by all the powers of StarClan she hoped that other cats could talk to her the way she thought.
Stringflight's pelt seemed to glow against the rising sun as it slowly climbed into the sky, and sub conciously her long tail wrapped itself around her petite paws. Even though in the cramped conditions of the ThunderClan Camp, the pretty she-cat still managed to keep her pelt soft and fluffy like snow in the doubled camp. It seemed that this everlasting nightmare would never cease. When would Dewstar and Midnightstar pull themselves together to fight back?
It seemed that it would never end, the constant repeating of every day, a blur, cats would see her for various illnesses or problems and then the sun would set, every day the same. It seemed that when she was back in ShadowClan Camp, every day seemed something new and exciting, every broken bone was an adventure waiting to be treated, every sickness was something she had to rise above. Now, Stringflight felt that the whole idea of being a medicine cat was repetitive, of course, the femme could think of no other thing she would love to do more than being a medicine cat, she just wished she was home.
Bringing her mind back to the present, her mind brushed across Brackenpaw's history. No, the tom had never been quite as soft and happy since his brother had passed on, now it seemed he was indeed, a very troubled tom, not that he'd say that to anyone, Brackenpaw had respected his brother with the utmost respect and looke dup to him... maybe a little too much, though who was she to say what to look up to? [/center] |
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Post by blackie on Feb 19, 2009 16:34:25 GMT -5
"What are you doing out so early Brackenpaw?" His blue-green eyes stared at her. Prehaps for a moment to long. Up and down, he traced the outline of her body, ignoring her for the moment. Did she really remember Rockfall? His eyes turned to slits, not anger, but sorrow. Even though it had been 6 moons since his death, the memories of him were stronger then anything. He still respected him, and no one else. That was how this tom worked."I could ask you the same don't you think?" He spat and wrapped his brown tail around his paws as he sat straight up watching the sun rise.
He gave her the cold shoulder. What a stupid question. Didn't she know that he did this every morning. It didn't matter if he wasn't home. He would wake up every morning before the sun rose, look to the sky and find his brother's star. He knew what one it was. That was easy. It was the one right next to the star that the clan leaders called the North star. Apparently the four north stars represented Shadow, Thunder,Wind, and River, the founders of the clan. Rockfalls was right near there. He knew it. He was more respected as a warrior then anyone else. At least, that's what Brackenpaw thought. It was the star below the four, there were a few other stars above his, and around, but Rockfalls, his was right there. He could point it out to everyone. He would watch the star fade, and the great burning fire take it's place. He knew his brother was still watching. Except now, Brackenpaw could not watch him. He did the same thing, yet the silly she-cat didn't know this yet?
He stood up straighter now. He was much larger then he had been 6 moons ago. A mirror image, that is what he was. A mirror image of his brother. Same eyes, same pelt. Everything was the same. He could have sworn that one day, he heard his leader call him Rockfall.He would train each day until the two moons from now when he got his warrior ceremony. Once he got it, he would dig his claws into the warrior who killed his brother. He would dig his claws into the cats throat. Then he would watch them die....
"Brackenkit, Come here now!" The voice boomed across the clearing. His large build stood above the others. His tail whipped back and forth. He wasn't angry, he was worried. He knew something that no one else did.
Skipping across the clearing Brackenkit looked up. He had been in a frisky game of tag."Hold on guys, my big brother wants me." He always bragged about him being his brother. Who didn't want a brother like Rockfall.
"Dewstar wants me to go on a battle patrol against Riverclan. Apparently they are stealing our prey again. However, I sense something wrong. Like Riverclan had a reason to do this. I can't promise blood wont be shed. However I promised Dewstar I would risk my life first before the others. I am the head of the battle line. You my little luck charm are to protect the clan if I do not come back." The tom bent down and gave the top of the kits head a swift lick." I will be quick I promise..."
Brackenkit just nodded and watched him go. A few other warriors were with him. Oakstorm was one, Soulpaw, and another. He sat outside the clan entrance waiting patiently for his return. His tail flicked back and forth. However, he never came. Rain started to fall in sheets, it was like bullets penetrating the skin. He whimpered as the lightning flashed. Almost every cat but him told him to go back into the dens were to keep in but he refused.
"Come little Brackenkit."Birdflight mewed. "You will catch a chill. What will Rockfall think when he can't be your mentor because your ill until your ready to be a warrior?"
Brackenkit glared."He said he would be back quickly. I am not moving until he comes back!" He looked to see his mother shake her head and go into the nursery where Dawnkit was as well."He will be back.... wont he?" No one was able to answer. A brown tom came in as the lightning crashed. A she-cat followed, a frown on her face."Oakstorm died?" He thought the large tom was Rockfall who dragged in the body.
Brackenkit sprinted forward and came face to face with who he thought was his great brother. He always had like to make an entrance."Rock-!
"I'm not your brother Brackenkit."The tom turned around, Oakstorm grimaced. His eyes fell on the dead body."That there....is Rockfall."
Brackenkit whimpered. His eyes filled with tears for the first time."NO! Thats not Rockfall!" His body was dragged to the center. By then the rain had stopped. Brackenkit nosed the toms flank. When he looked up, another star was in the sky."Who ever did this to you.... I wont forgive them!" His eyes looked directly at Stringpaw."SAVE HIM!!!! You and your mentor save him!" He wailed. However in the back of his mind, he knew there was nothing that they could do.
Brackenpaw sighed. He missed him so much."I miss Rockfall so much. I just wish he was still around...."His memory of that night was so distinct. He could see the sadness in everyone's eyes. Rockfall could have been deputy one day. Did the tom know that he was going to die that night. His eyes flashed, and he looked back at Stringflight."Do you think that he knew it was his time? Do you think he knew that he was going to die that night?
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Post by .Whitey. on Feb 20, 2009 8:50:36 GMT -5
The pale she-cat blinked at the tom when he snarled at her, though she didn't retaliate. As the tom stared at the Northern Stars, the femme did too, staring at each of them and then at the smaller dimmer star just near them. Stringflight looked back at Brackenpaw and blinked in the orange filled camp. It is a medicine cats place to know how others are feeling, even when they do not wish us to. she murmured staring back up at the skies and wondering why there was so much sorrow pouring off of Brackenpaw.
She knew that deep down, his sorrow was felt towards her, after all she had been the one sitting by his dead brother when he had passed onto starClan. She could remember his yowling like the clear blue skies that shone above the fields in WindClan. It had been one of the most devasting memories of her life, apart from when her mother had died, she had felt so awful from that day until the she-cat realised that there was no point in grieving over what had been lost.
"SAVE HIM!!!! You and your mentor save him!" two small eyes stared distraughtly up at Stringpaw and frantic paws from her mentor prevented her from moving. Couldn't he see? The tom had gone, everything about Rockfall, his memories and personality had left for Starclan, nothing else was left of the shell of the cat that was once there. the she-cat opened her delicate cream mouth to speak, "We can't... Brackenkit, he's already passed over to StarClan...I'm sorry." she murmured regretfully to the little tom.
The tom face fell in agony, and she could feel her heart aching and reaching out towards him. This was the first time she had not been able to help her mentor save someone, this feeling, emptyness.. or regretfulness, she couldn't tell between the two, but it made her stomach drop like a pit. There was nothing she could do and she felt so powerless, for the very first time. Though, she did not cry, it would be wrong because she had never known him as such.
Stringflight looked back at Brackenpaw as he began to talk once more. You seek knowledge which I do not have, young Brackenpaw. the she-cat replied to him. Though, my opinion is that every cat has their time, whatever Starclan has in store for us, that is what will happen... your brother went to Starcflan as a Hero, if he had died any other way, would you still think the same of him? Would you still honour him as you do? she asked him, pointing out that if he had been taken by an illness perhaps brackenpaw may not have respected him as much as he did, perhaps his drive for revenge wouldn't have been as powerful, perhaps he would have let go. This was what Stringflight questioned him upon, and she did expect some retort back to her, but in the end, she was only trying to help.
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Post by blackie on Feb 21, 2009 20:06:39 GMT -5
"Are you questioning my loyalty to my own brother?" His tail tip twitched back and forth. That was a dumb question. He would have had the same respect for him either way. However, he could not be angry with the she-cat. She did all that she was able to do. It was something that should have been forgotten but he just didn't have the heart to do it. He shuddered as he thought of that day one more time.If he were to have died from an illness. Would he have had the same position in the sky? Brackenpaw listened to someone else besides himself for once.
"In some ways you are right, yes I know. I would honor him no matter what. He and I had a bond that no one would understand.....He and I were very close. No, I would not be seeking revenge on the cat who killed him, but in my eyes he would have died being a hero... he was my hero..."His eyes went from her to the sky again as he purred. Perhaps his softer side was more exposed with Stringflight. He had never really released his feelings on the subject before.
He sighed as his brothers star was no longer visible. He turned around and licked his paw bringing it over his ear."Yes, he did die with honor. Perhaps because he died that is why I am so stubborn and arrogant. I was never like that as a kit. At least, that is what I have been told. However one day I will make sure he did not die for nothing"
ooc:Sorry Low muse
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Post by .Whitey. on Feb 22, 2009 7:30:44 GMT -5
ooc: Its no problem, your smaller posts are bigger than what other members post XD
Stringflight nodded once. That it would be, you would respect him for just being your brother, though, if he had died of an illness, would you really drive to be a cat who would kill those around him for revenge? she asked the young apprentice who seemed to have a huge obsession with revenge. Though, it was only to be expected. As for your loyalty? I have never doubted your loyalty towards your brother, but perhaps it would be in your best interest to show some compassion to others too, or those that would help you when you fall will not be there. she advised him not looking at him as such but she seemed to stare through him, like one big ticking mechanism.
ooc2: Ick, I have low muse atm ¬.¬ my bad. [/center] |
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Post by blackie on Feb 26, 2009 8:36:04 GMT -5
Brackenpaw huffed. He understood what this she-cat meant. If he hadn't died in battle, he wouldn't be here now training so hard to prove himself worthy. He swiped his paw over his nose and sighed. He would never be as strong as he was now without that thought that his brother died in a fight. Perhaps he was to young to see that. Maybe that's why the drive was so strong, because at the time he just didn't understand. He had been a few battles himself. Cats got hurt, it was a natural thing.
His brown pelt bristled. He hated to admit another cat was right. It wasn't something that he did often. He dug his claws into the ground and hesistated when he thought about speaking. It just wasn't right. He knew what he was doing was for the wrong purpose. Brackenpaw just wished that his brother, Rockfall, had died just recently. Maybe then he wouldn't be so power hungry.
"Your absolutely right. I'm fighting for my brother each day, which is good, but its for the wrong purpose. I need to be fighting for him and for him only, not to kill the one who killed him. However my drive to do so just won't go away you know." He mewed looking at the Medicine cat.
ooc:Wow that was absolutely horrible, sorry.
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