~Sunrise~

[Swift ✱]

[glow=blue,2,300]~MOONPAW~[/glow]

Dawn broke at Tempestclan camp. the sun was shininng from behind the surrounding trees, and suddenly it seemed as if the world was full of joy. Swallows glided across fields of lush grass that rippled and shone like an ocean in the summer breeze. In the hedgerows, small birds were singing. The soft call of a cuckoo rang through the still air. Trees swayed gently in the breeze as the sun hid behind the them, casting shadows across the lonely clearing.
Moonpaw awoke to find the scent of fresh-kill wafting past her nose. Rousing herself and streching her limbs, she padded over to the fresh-kill and chose a mouse. The little she-cat climbed up the old dead tree and lay down on a low branch over-looking camp. She remembered her apprentice ceremony, last night. Today was her first day as an apprentice. She was the only apprentice in TempestClan at the moment. Moonpaw longed for the company of another cat her age. So what if she was the daughter of a loner? She was desperately trying to be nice to everone here. But it was hard, because no one payed attention to her. She tore into her mouse, pushing her thoughts away. She savoured every bite as if it was her last. This was a new life for her, and unlike her mother, she wouldn't leave it. She wanted to prove herself. Moonpaw felt all warm inside at the thought Clan life even though, it was chilly out. All she wanted to do was serve her clan well. She clambered down from the tree and sat down to lick her pelt. She was first up. Moonpaw wrapped her bushy tail around herself and shuffled on her paws to keep out the cold new-leaf breeze.
She dozed off as other clan members awoke. Moonpaw shook herself and went in search of her mentor. "What are we going to do today?" she asked him, her bright green eyes glittering excitedly at the prospect of her first training session.

[aero ❥]

longshadow

His official morning had started about three hours ago, dawn was just a reminder of what time it really was. His dreams had been so vivid, it made sleep almost impossible. He kept waking, confused, wondering why he was dreaming about such things anyway. It had been only a single cat each time, bathed in starlight, though she was living and around this very camp somewhere. He had chased her through an unfamiliar forest, one dark and cold. He was lost at every turn, only seeing a flash of her disappear behind a tree or deadening bush for direction. Why he kept pursuing her was a mystery, it was as if he was in a trance. The deeper she led him into the wood the stranger things got. The sky pitch black, no stars, no moon. The wood was so dead and dark....and she, her light faded to only a dim glow. Whispers filled his ears, and with his midnight pelt he seemed to melt into the shadows.

Now in the waking world he was tired and more irritable than usual. When a smaller figure approached him he shrunk back a little in disgust. What did an apprentice want with him this early? "What are we going to do to-" Oh, shit, how had be forgotten? Voidstar, his unintended nemesis, had given him an apprentice. "Longshadow, you will mentor Moonpaw. May you pass down to her your sly thinking and cunning determination." First problem, he heavily disliked young cats. Kits he just didn't care about flat out. Apprentices were annoying little unappreciative snots that he would rather see join the ranks of Starclan than the rank of warrior. Enough said. So that he would have to train one of these little inexperienced tyrants was like play time with the devil. Looking down at her, she looked so excited and happy....it disgusted him. His cold green clover eyes glared down at her, lip lifted in the beginnings of a snarl. Calm down. Calm down.

"Ug- um," He meowed, looking around camp as if the answer was in front of him. "We're going to practice scenting, doing a little hunting on the way." He replied slowly, not trying to hide his annoyed tone one bit. His quick answer had come from a memory of his own apprenticeship, remembering what his own mentor had done with him when he was first starting out. Back then were the days he longed for, the ones where everyone knew their place, warrior blood was pure, and life didn't have so many complications. He couldn't say Moonpaw would ever know such times. Even if everyone knew their place, and the clan had no complications, her blood was heavily tainted with that of her mother's. What was it with these she-cats? This was the second or third case he knew of where the longer/rogue she-cat joined, had her kits, and left. If this new parasite decided to leave after she birthed the kits that seemed about to burst from her belly he might have to pull his fur out.

Attention back to the young cat, he exhaled. Today was going to be a long, long day.

WHAT IF ALL I'VE EVER SEEN WAS A LIE?

[Swift ✱]

[glow=blue,2,300]~MOONPAW~[/glow]

Immediately she could sense his annoyance. His green eyes stared icily at her. She winced, as if she had been bitten. Moonpaw was slightly taken aback by Longsadow's cold reply. She hadn't expected him to be like this. But what did she expect? Moonpaw fluffed out her fur. "Ok" she mewed to him, a flicker of fear in her eyes. She wondered if she should say something else, but got the immpression that he didn't want her to say anything. She awkwardly steped to the side waiting for him to lead the way. She forgot her previous thoughts and remembered that it was only her first day, and not to expect much. Although she was excited at the prospect of hunting for the first time, she was afraid to show it. But her eyes carried a hint if pleasure and proudness to be an apprentice at last. But obviously her mentor didn't agree.

Moonpaw looked out to the forest with longing. Her fur was whipped in the breeze and the scents drifted towards them, her mouth watered. This was her home. This was her life. This was her mentor. She would do her best in all her training to become a warrior and would let nothing distract her, or so she hoped. Her tail twitched in excitment. The little cat glanced at Longshadow, waiting for his signal to go.

[aero ❥]

longshadow

The black warrior could smell the faint fear-scent coming from Moonpaw, and almost sneered. She was so innocent. She should have been scared of Longshadow, he wasn't all quite there at times, and not in the crazy way. In the dangerous way. But right now, here in camp, even out in the territory, he couldn't (and had no interest in doing anything more than) harm her with anything but words. He felt the tingle in his body that replaced the sympathy he should have felt. If she was scared of him this easily what would a brute from Vertigoclan do to her when they faced each other on the battle field? He laughed inside, cruel for thinking it was funny. Maybe it was only him who found humor in the thought, but find humor in it he did. With it, he should have set a goal in mind then and there - like he would work with her until she wouldn't have to worry about something like that happening, that when the time came she would have the skills she needed to defend herself. But he didn't do any such thing.

He would teach her what she needed, if she was too dumb to understand it wasn't his fault. Oh, he had a goal. To dump her off as soon as he possibly could. Something told him she was intelligent though, that she would be easier than some of the other apprentices. That gave him comfort when facing this new task. "Come on." He growled, lanky build promising speed was his to control. His long legs carried him to the lake shore in record time, the warrior not even taking the time to see if Moonpaw was keeping up. Giving a shake to his silky black fur, Longshadow opened his mouth. He took in the scents, finding them fresh and pungent. Perfect for what they were doing. Waiting for the apprentice, the tom went over what he was going to say and show her. He was planning to fit a lot into this first outing, simply because he wanted to see where her limit was. Overall, so far, it was pretty boring work being a mentor.

WHAT IF ALL I'VE EVER SEEN WAS A LIE?

[Swift ✱]

[glow=blue,2,300]~MOONPAW~[/glow]

Her fur was flattened as she stepped after the lean tom. She followed with confidence with a hop in her step. She lost all fear. Moonpaw stared off into the forest with enthusiasm. Her fur was whipped in an unruly fashion in the wind. She saw her mentor testing the air and copied. The scents of the forest became more clear. Mice, hare and a faint scent of snake. Moonpaw's eyes lit up. Hunting! She couldn't wait. Longshadow took off. Moonpaw was surprised at the speed of him, but she did her best to keep up. She never lost sight of him. He lead her to a lake. She had no idea where she was. The murky water of the lake was surrounded by weeds and saplings. Not much cover, she decided. She glanced at Longshadow, waiting for him to say something. She caught a glimpse of a brown pelt scurrying about at the waters edge. She crouched down instinctively, but had no idea of what to do. Moonpaw looked nervously at her mentor. She knew at least that the were downwind and far enough away of the creature to not be heard.

A frog leaped out of the grass and into view for a second, then disappeared. Moonpaw had to use all of her willpower not to leap after the little frog. She shuffled on her paws excitedly, the tip of her tail twitching. She waited for a growl to erupt from the tom's mouth telling her off. All she wanted to do was please him. All she wanted was to taste the frog that hid in the grass. Her ears swiveled, trying to locate the frog. All thought of the vole disappeared. She then realized that he might ask her to catch the vole. Her ears flattened in frustration. She lost track of where it was. The grass rustled where a creature was foraging. Moonpaw closed her eyes, willing herself to stay still.

[aero ❥]

longshadow

Longshadow observed the apprentice, ears flicking as a fly buzzed around his head. She was rather strange, but had self control. (As it seemed.) "This is the lake. Zephyrclan also shares it as a border on the other side of the glacier. Can you smell their scent?" The breeze carried a faint trace of it over the waters, and it could be detected from the grassy shore. He had led her to a drier part, since, like most of their wretched territory, it was more of a swamp than a forest. She would learn more about it at a later time though. Right now was what he would officially call 'basic training'.

Flexing his claws, he prompted her with more questions. "What else can you smell? Prey? The most prominent right now is vole. See if you can smell anything else." He raised his black nose in the air to make sure he didn't miss anything himself. He was still nasty, but his intentions had changed. He wanted to push push push, challenge the she-cat. Never a dull moment. If Voidstar wanted him to teach her his sly thinking and cunning determination, so be it. She would be the one to pay for it. Always questioning, always focused, always prepared. He could feel this was heading in the direction of a routine. His mentor had been rough on him, made the black cat loath every day of his life that included training with him. In the end, the mentor had still seemed unsatisfied. When he died from some mysterious cause, Longshadow hadn't cared at all. He had gotten sympathy from clan-mates, but they didn't understand that him and, Hawkeye was it?, never had a relationship. Only the dull ache of hate for one another.

He didn't want to carry on the tradition, he just thought it entertaining to watch someone work. If she hated him for it, the joke was on her. Because he didn't care. He didn't care about much these days. It felt better that way, he had to admit. Turning his head to look around them, he could hear the lake shore teeming with life, the spring season filling the grasses and bushes with creatures begging to be brought back and placed on the fresh-kill pile.

WHAT IF ALL I'VE EVER SEEN WAS A LIE?

[Swift ✱]

[glow=blue,2,300]~MOONPAW~[/glow]

Yes she caught the scent of vole. She opened her mouth to taste the air as she saw him do earlier. More scents. A strange smell. "That must be ZephyrClan" she thought. She caught something else too. She realized it was the smell of a mouse. She focused on the vole. Her ears swiveled as she located the creature in the grass ahead. "I smell them, ZephyrClan" Moonpaw saw something shine in the water. "I see a fish" It's streamlined body weaving through the water, then disappearing into the murk. She turned her attention back to the vole. Locating the rustle, she crept silently forward. She still had no idea of what exactly o do, but she would learn from her mistakes. Pushing her way through the weeds, she might have glanced at Longshadow, waiting for some sign. But she carried on. The rustling had stopped, but it had been just ahead of her. She paused, waiting for It to start again. Moments later, she sprang towards the rustle, leaping after the vole. She swooped down clamping her jaws around it's frail body in triumph. Her first kill! She looked at her mentor, waiting for him to criticize her. She did suppose that she had a lot to learn and that the vole was small, but still, Moonpaw thought she did her best considering she hadn't a clue of what the territory even looked like until this morning. Her green gaze shifted to look towards the sky. She often wondered what it was like to fly. How birds did fly. She returned from her daydream to drop the vole in front of her mentor. She knew that he wouldn't be satisfied with it, but at least she caught something.

[aero ❥]

longshadow

Longshadow nodded in dull approval, frosted clover eyes not quite focused. Something was on his mind, and he couldn't get it off. He shook himself, his muscles were so tight with tension they were starting to hurt. The dark warrior looked out to the lake, also spotting the fish before it's descent into the muddy bottom. He would teach her to fish when she was older. She didn't even know how to hunt yet, and probably was just as repulsed at the thought of getting wet as he was. He stared out into the water, the shine off of the miniature waves unlocking something that had been restless at the back of his mind. He winced, ivory teeth clenched. It was like he was fighting back something inside himself, and if he failed, well lets just say he couldn't fail. Or else.

It was a few moments before he realized Moonpaw was gone, the creeping enemy inside shrinking back as he looked around frantically. Had she wandered off? What the hell was she thinking? The lake was dangerous, and if the apprentice went missing...They'll frame me for murder, I'll be exiled. Or at best I'll be spit on by the clan for the rest of my life. He was only panicked for one reason, that he would never see -

A mouse dropped at his paws. No, a vole. He glared down at the grey/black/white cat. "Did I tell you to go off and hunt?" He snarled, tail lashing. "NO." He answered for her, not wanting to hear excuses. The last thing he needed was a "Well it was practically in front of my nose!" or "I was just practicing..." he wanted to hear nothing. Damn you Voidstar, damn you. That must have been the fifth time that week he'd thought that. He boiled in silence, looking down at her from his perch of long legs. "Next time," He growled, turning away. "Catch something better if you're going to wander off. Bury that and we'll come back for it later." In his own way, it was a well done. He could have said leave it, it wasn't worth bringing back - he had considered it - but the act had shown potential. To his knowledge she knew nothing about technique or form, how to even hunt in the slightest. It wasn't a ticket to screw with him, but she had gotten herself a ride on the coat tails of his attention.

"We're going to the glacier, I'll show you proper ways to hunt there." He called back, breaking into an easy run, long strides propelling him forward. He ran everywhere, even when he didn't have to. It was a way to blow steam. In this case, he had plenty.

WHAT IF ALL I'VE EVER SEEN WAS A LIE?

[Swift ✱]

[glow=blue,2,300]~MOONPAW~[/glow]

She wished she hadn't done anything, she wished things were different. But they weren't. Moonpaw felt that he would never appreciate her. He would never be proud of her. She sulked sullenly. She knew she was being imature, but right now she didn't give a damn. She wanted to curl up in her nest and sleep. No, she wasn't tired, she just wanted to forget the day.

"Did I tell you to go off and hunt? NO" She dipped her head. Great. Now he really hated her. Of course she had expected him to tell her off, but at least she caught something. Right? The glacier? Well she had no idea where that was. But it was all about learning when you were an apprentice, she thought scornfully. Moonpaw buried the vole quickly and ran after Longshadow. She was begining to wish that she didn't wake up this morning. He wouldn't have missed her. The look on his face earlier looked as if he had forgotten about her. She felt like running into the forest and never returning to camp, to Longshadow. But she was determind to keep up with him. To learn all she could, and do her best.

[aero ❥]

longshadow

He was like a shadow gliding silently along the forest floor, moons of practice all adding up to create this; him. Longshadow felt the air start to change in temperature as they neared the enormous landmark, memories flooding back to him. Most he didn't want to remember. His first gathering (which went horrible), being in a tussle with a rogue (that he barely won), and being crushed by the first cat to ever capture his heart. What? He loved someone? No, not loved. Liked. He was an older apprentice, as was she. He had a crush on her, yatta yatta yatta. A few days before his warriors ceremony he got away from his mentor and followed her and her mentor out into the territory. He sent her on a hunting task, the black tom in hot pursuit. He had talked to her many times and she had seemed interested in him, giving him hope. He was going through the trouble now to tell her his feelings. She hastily went severely close to the glacier, not where you would typically look for prey. He was about to step out of hiding but hesitated when he heard someone coming. It was one of his den-mates, a tom. She had been waiting, clearly having a plan to meet him there. The way they looked at each other Longshadow (Longpaw then) knew in his numbing heart he didn't have a chance.

It wasn't a significant part of his past and didn't really mean too much to him, the she-cat died shortly after. Like his mentor's death, he hadn't been saddened by the loss of the pretty face. She had chosen a different path than the one that walked with his, it was none of his concern that she had made that decision and had to live with the repercussions. Saying that, he wondered why he was so absorbed in thinking of it now. He slowed to the end of the marshy tree-line, the white snowy surface of the ice chilling even to look at. "This, is the glacier. Tunnels are under there that lead to a cavern, where we have gatherings, and another chamber that the leader and medicine cats go to when they need to talk to Starclan." He meowed, flicking his tail at the base.

He looked at her, emotionless expression plastered to his face like a mask. "Now I'll teach you the basic hunting techniques. You have a choice," His tone hardened, but his eyes did not. "Mouse or bird, which technique would you like to learn first?" He might as well give her a choice, the easier of the preys as the choices. They were some of the most common she would encounter.

WHAT IF ALL I'VE EVER SEEN WAS A LIE?

[Swift ✱]

[glow=blue,2,300]~Moonpaw~[/glow]

She galloped along freely after Lonshadow. She thought about the future, about her becoming warrior. She saw the forest flash by in a blur of greens and yellows with other colours mixed in. The sky was clear and the birds were singing. She felt so alive. She heard someone talking about the glacier, the tunnels and chambers. Leaders and medicine cats meeting with Starclan, and Gatherings. "yes..." she murmered dreamily, not even loud enough to hear.

"Mouse or bird. Which technique would you like to learn first?" She hadn't even realised that he was talking to her. She shook her head and looked at him. He seemed genuine, not mocking her. "Hunting techniques? Uh, eh. How about mouse?" she fumbled. Finally, he was going to teach her to hunt. She dreamed again of becoming a warrior, out hunting in the woods. She sat down and licked her paws, waiting for her mentor to speak. Her soft, fluffy tail curled around her and she opened her green eyes widely. Her ears erect, listening to her surroundings, and of course, to Longshadow.

OOC; I know my posts are really bad, and small. I'll try do better next time...

[aero ❥]

longshadow

Longshadow had a feeling Moonpaw hadn't really heard a word that had come from his mouth, but like he said before, if she was too stupid to catch on it wasn't his fault. Falling silent, he listened diligently, ears swiveling in different directions. His jaw fell slightly open, scent glands tickled by the different fragrances that rushed against them. He was only looking to pick out one, a rodent...

Got'cha. He dropped instinctively into a crouching position, reaching out one long forearm at a time to pull himself forward. He almost forgot to explain what he was doing. "First, drop into a crouch, like this. Don't let your tail lash, make your back straight." He meowed, pressing himself so close to the damp, chilled ground his black belly fur gently brushed against the different debris. "Always try to be downwind of your prey, especially with rabbits and birds. Don't make any sound, avoid twigs, dead leaves, anything that may tell the thing you're hunting you're there." He continued gliding, giving an example. "In the case of mice, a mouse will feel the vibrations in the ground before he will see or smell you. Balance your weight and stay light on your paws." His whisper was soft, careful. He knew there was a mouse nestled somewhere in the dense undergrowth ahead, unsuspecting of his pending attack.

Approaching, he peered through a lush wall of weeds and grass, resting atop some gnarled roots. He let out a low, vicious cry as he sprang, claws hooking the grey, dusty pelt and flinging it into the open for his apprentice to see. Swiftly he darted to it, ivory teeth sinking into the neck. Swiping his pink tongue around his mouth, he cleared his whiskers of any blood. "And you have a mouse. Obviously you don't need to toss it around, just pouncing and making the final blow on the spot is probably better if you want no chance of it escaping." He flicked his tail, clover eyes narrowing. "Traditionally," He reluctantly pursued the words stuck in his throat. "You would give thanks to Starclan for it. Then, as I'm sure you know, bury it so other predators don't find it before you can collect it." He tried to blow over what he had just said, wanting to avoid and confrontation on why he didn't give thanks.

Ooc.//

You're giving me enough to reply with, they're good. (: Your word count will grow naturally as you role play more I'm sure.

WHAT IF ALL I'VE EVER SEEN WAS A LIE?

[Swift ✱]

[glow=blue,2,300]

~Moonpaw~

[/glow]

She studied him attentively. Scenting the air, ears swiveling. His stoop, the way his paws barely seemed to touch the ground as he moved stealthily towards the sound. She nodded as he explained about the crouch. He tensely crept, as if he was pulling himself along the soil. Steering clear of twigs and crisp leaves. The scent of mouse filled her nostrils. A fresh, mouth-watering smell which lingered, enticing her towards it. She stared intently at the area in front of her, locating the hustle and bustle of the creature. She copied Longshadow. He suddenly disappeared. A moment later, a low yowl erupted from somewhere further on. Moonpaw look at Longshadow launching himself at the rodent. She fixed her bright, lime-green eyed stare on at him, taking in every action. He spoke to her about giving thanks to Starclan, and thought she saw a look of monotony cross his face. She wandered cautiously towards him. Where would they go in the territory now? Or would they stay around the glacier? Would she get to hunt? Moonpaw look forward to whatever he had in store for. She shifted excitedly on her paws. Her eyes shining radiantly. Her pupils widened with exhilaration.

OOC; Ok then, if you say so. This one wasn't great either. I'll try harder next time. =]

[aero ❥]

longshadow

Longshadow gave a shake to his pelt, particles of dust floating outward from his short fur. Sun rays filtered down from the blossoming canopy above, giving the forest a radiant glow. His clover eyes dragged over the landscape a few times, lungs filling with chilled, sweet, clean air as he inhaled. In the distance there were clouds, bellies filled with rain no doubt, but Tempestclan wouldn't get any of that today. He felt healthy and content; a victory considering he didn't favor being out here for reasons regarding mentoring. He knew that even though he had a pointless annoyance for Voidstar, the leader had graced him with a good apprentice whether he wanted to admit it or not. He dug a shallow scrap and pushed the mouse in, covering it with leaves to busy himself.

Feeling a new sense of release, the dark warrior felt a little lighter on his paws, the proceeding enemy inside vanishing to appear at another time. "Moonpaw, stalk that leaf over there." He commanded, tail flicking towards a fallen medium sized piece of hazel foliage. The words were absent of irritation, though his posture was still rigid. He sat, lengthy tail curled around his paws. Much like she had done, he watched intently, ready to track her every move, and this time give corrections when needed.
He wasn't sure anymore. He just wasn't sure. So much had happened lately, both personal issues and things that involved the clan. More complications than ever. He felt like running away, leaving, never coming back like he always did, but he couldn't. Not now. Responsibilities and interests tied him to the spot. He didn't usually go down without a fight anyway, he had too much pride.

WHAT IF ALL I'VE EVER SEEN WAS A LIE?

[Swift ✱]

[glow=blue,2,300]~Moonpaw~[/glow]
The pupils of her eyes enlarged like pools of rainwater during the monsoon. But she kept her tail at rest, towing like a ghost along the dry earth as she moved silently towards her quarry. Moonpaw stepped lightly towards the leaf, her paws floated over twigs and leaves beneath her like silk. She twitched her whiskers and flattened her ears. Just a little closer. She imagined the leaf to be the vole, replaying her earlier hunt in her head.

Moonpaw closed her eyes. She leaped at the leaf, hissing wildly. Her claws unsheathed her claws and landed right on top of the leaf within a split second. Her claws flexed excitedly as she glanced back at Longshadow with the leaf fixed firmly under her paws. Moonpaw sat up and gazed up at the sky. The clear blue, cloudless sky. Framed by the tree canopy, it seemed as if something was missing from the centre. A flock of birds fluttered by together through Moonpaw's imaginary frame of the sky. She smiled a feline smile. The she-cat blinked as she looked back to her mentor. "Was that alright?" she meowed, eyes flickering nervously.