A Good Day's Start

[spike]

The tom slunk from his den to the center of camp. Dawn had passed but he hadn't really noticed. Yeah, that was a mistake. He glanced around in hopes of finding Brooksky but she was probably off working on things like patrols. The cat's harsh red fur stood out greatly from the surrounding area and he looked large compared to many things.

Adderstar sat and lazily licked at his paws. Well, the day was here and it seemed well. He watched as Sandcloud and Firecloud darted to the nursery. He didn't worry at all knowing that it was Dovetail they probably tended to. He did feel sad to know that both queens had lost mates. It was a tragedy really. His mind wandered away for a moment. He had always thought about what it'd be like to actually have a mate.

That idea was scoffed at before he returned to cleaning his fur. A mate? Why settle so early? Then again, he was already fourty-eight moons. Even friends of his had settled down into a serious life. He was a leader, yes, but he still liked to do something. Going out on patrols, hunting, watching the training of the many apprnetices, it was all something he enjoyed doing. But settling down calmly was not how he was going to let it be.

Sighing heavily, he decided finding Brooksky was the best thing to do. Maybe he could sneak onto a patrol or something to get out of camp.

The she-cat's creamy fur was accompanied by a more smoky colored one. Mother and daughter grinned at each other while moving in unison towards the fresh-kill pile. Rosepetal's burning orange eyes were intent on a bird she seemed to hunger for while Leafstorm was just calmly walking along side her.

Everybody knew that the duo seperated only when necessary. It wasn't because Rosepetal requested it. It was Leafstorm. The younger of the two worried heavily on her mother's mind. Insanity could be birthed at any moment after all the things her fragile mother had been through. It didn't seem like a lot in the end but Rosepetal was too soft to deal with the smallest of things.

"Aren't you hungry?" the soft, motherly purr came to the she-cat's ears.

"No, mother," she mewed in return. "You eat. I'm waiting to see if I have to do anything. A patrol, or something."

The tom bounded around the camp with excitement in him. If his sense of smell had been right, Dovetail was about to give birth. That was why Sandcloud ran there. He kept glancing towards it then walking away. Then he'd race to the spot he started at, pinkish eyes on the place he knew the queens were. Who would keep him company now?

The sleek white cat nervously moved his paws and walked away again. He returned with a jolt again. His energy was never-ending right now. He saw Adderstar give him a glance and he saw the swift smile from the leader. The only reason Icetail knew it was the leader was because of the fact that everybody went to him, to speak to him, at the end of the day. He sat on the Rockpile. He had control. That was about it though. Another cat, a pretty little she-cat, also had control but she did not sit on Rockpile.

Icetail sat and continued to knead the earth below it. He was just bored. Plain and utterly bored.

[☆ Y e l l o w ☆]

The all-black she-cat sat peacefully by herself, looking around camp. Cats were walking around and talking with each other but Ravenfeather was just taking some time for herself. Sooner or later she would go over and make friendly conversation with some cat. Her alert eyes caught sight of Sandcloud and Firecloud heading for the nursery and her ears angled in the direction curiously. Dovetail's kits were due any day now, right? The warrior hadn't been to the nursery for a while but that's what it looked like. Winding her tail around her front legs, she looked upward at the bright sky, dotted with a few white clouds. She wondered how Dovetail was getting by. Not about the kits, but in general. Ravenfeather missed Mudwhisker; the whole Clan missed him. But the Clan has lost cats before, it was nothing new to happen. The loss as a whole was nothing compared to the personal loss of someone close. She considered herself lucky to have never gone through the personal grief that Dovetail was bound to be dealing with.

She saw a glimpse of red fur out of the corner of her eye and looked over as Adderstar came out of his den. Where was Brooksky, she wondered? Maybe she would have something for her to do. Well, if the deputy was out of camp, maybe Adderstar could even find something for her to do. She considered even going to get her apprentice, Smallpaw. He was finally returning to the apprentices' den after another bout of sickness and was far behind on his training. After seeing Icetail bouncing around camp like an excited kit, she gave him a friendly glance but suspected he might not have seen her. The white tom was entertaining at times, though she felt sorry that he couldn't hear. He hadn't even been able to hear his own warrior ceremony.

[froststream]

Brooksky had been awake for a little while. The petite she cat licked her thick, silver tabby pelt, her white laced paws carrying her busily around camp. It was already bustling, cats filtering in and out of the dens, chatting and waking. She smiled faintly at a few cats, and then spotted the one she was looking for. Adderstar. He was over to her right, on the other side of camp. The beautiful tabby broke into a graceful run, stopped a few tail lengths away. She smiled at him, her sky blue eyes sparkling. “Good morning,” she said cheerfully, her light voice ringing out breezily. “I wanted to speak with you about the dawn patrol.”

Adderstar was a fine leader, she respected him very much. She was a bit younger, new to the deputy job, and catching on as well as she could. She tipped her head, her long tail flicking back and forth. “I was hoping to send out Spottedsky, Kestrelpaw, Hailwhisker, Lionstripe, Ravenfeather and Lilypaw to go check the scents around the River and cliff forests. And then sharpen up our scent markers.” She raised an eyebrow at Adderstar, before adding, “Unless you have another suggestion...?”

Snowcloud was getting ready to go out hunting. She and Blizzardfur had been absently passing around a moss ball, vaguely enjoying the old kittenhood game. She flicked her ears in annoyance, and swatted a fly that had been buzzing in her ear. She wiped her paw on the earth after catching it, and directed her gaze at Blizzardfur, who was rolling with the moss ball, swatting it around.

“Snowcloud!” he called proudly. “Look what I do!” He hit the moss ball high in the air, and it fell down a tail length away.

“Good one, Blizzardfur,” Snowcloud smiled. Her brother knew survival, how to hunt, how to fight, and he understood other cats. But when it came to speaking and expressing himself, he was as dumb as a kit. His sentences were halting and uneven, his acts loving and good-natured. “Let’s go hunting, hm?”

“Ya! Where’ll we go?”

“Uh...” Snowcloud thought, furrowing her brow. “The River!” she purred in a falsetto. "Let's see if Icetail wants to come. He looks bored."

"Yay! I love Icetail."

"I know you do, buddy."

Blizzardfur quivered with excitement, and started into a run. He ran as fast as he could at Icetail, smiling like a kit, eyes shining with pure, innocent bliss. He skidded to a halt in front of the white cat, narrowly avoiding bowling him over. He rolled onto his back, purring loudly. "You want come hunt?" Even Blizzardfur knew that Icetail couldn't hear, so he proudly made the bite in the air movement.

[Ki]

Spottedsky padded out of the warriors' den. She'd slept about as peacefully as she had the night Ravenflight died, which was about second to none. The she-cat saw the other cats fetch Sandcloud. Her heart clenched at once and prepared to bound towards the apprentices' den. Though Firecloud and Sandcloud disappeared into the nursery. Then she remembered: Dovetail's kits were due any day now. Sighing somewhat in relief, Spottedsky stretched her legs. She felt sorry for Dovetail. The poor queen must miss Mudwhisker. They all missed him. Well, he would be with her and their kits during this treacherous period. Spottedsky remembered when she'd birthed her own daughter. Now there were some she-cats in the world that loved to be pregnant. They adored the feeling of little lives cradled in their belly. Spottedsky had hated it, and happy when her kit was born. The little thing had her anxious with worry.

She still does. Spottedsky padded towards the other cats, then hesitated. She wasn't the most well-liked cat around camp. Nor was she the most hated, either. Shrugging slightly, she padded over to the fresh-kill pile, where Leafstorm and Rosepetal were. Ah! The mother-daughter duo! Spottedsky nodded to them as she took a humble mouse from the pile. The she-cat couldn't help but glance at the apprentices' den again. Smallpaw had been sick again and for much longer than usual. That troubled her. Sandcloud had deemed the always impatient Smallpaw well enough to return to his training just last night. Spottedsky watched him trot off towards the apprentices' den with a spring in his step. Sighing a bit, she looked at the other two she-cats. "Good morning, you two. Sleep well, I hope?"

[Kitty]

The bright orange tom slunk out of the warriors den and down the gorge, dodging a rushed Sandcloud and Firecloud on their way to the nursery and praying the queens were all right, to sit near the Rockpile. Some moss still clung to his fiery pelt despite the trip down here, do he settled in for a thorough grooming. Pesky moss.

Oh, of course. Dovetail's kits were due to born any day now. She must've started her kitting. He hoped it would go well. His thoughts wandered as he cleaned his pelt, spitting out the occasional scrap of moss.

Lionstripe realized a little belatedly that he was sitting only a couple tail lengths from Brooksky and Adderstar. Brooksky had just suggested that he and his apprentice and a few other cats go on patrol. Oh, joy. Lilypaw could be pretty fun to be around, but she could be stubborn. And lazy. But he still liked it. He hoped Adderstar approved.

Tawnystorm flounced down the edge of the gorge to the edge of camp. She was in a halfway decent mood - for now. She knew that pretty soon something would probably ruin it, though. Maybe she could latch on to a patrol. Or go hunting. Or soemthing. Anything besides staying in camp. She started licking distractedly at her pelt, grooming the unruly places. She's heard Dovetail had begun her kitting this morning. Hopefully it was going okay.

Creamfoot lounged across the ground just outside of the elders den, soaking up the early morning sun before it got too hot and she retreated to the shadows. She wondered if Smallpaw would stop by today. He usually did whenever he got the chance. Which was when Sandcloud let him leave the medicine den and the rare times he wasn't sick. She hoped he wouldn't make her tromp around the camp looking for him. Her old bones couldn't take a lot of that.

[spike]

Adderstar perked up seeing his deputy and seemed to ponder it. Lionstripe and Lilypaw could use the time out of camp. Training and all being thought of. The same went with Spottedsky and Kestrelpaw. "Leave Ravenfeather to another patrol," he muttered. "We could use her later, maybe with Smallpaw now that he's ready to have some more training. I'll take lead of the patrol, Brooksky. I'm eager to get out of camp right now. I'll take Lionstripe, Kestrelpaw, Lilypaw, and Spottedsky. I'm feeling too cramped up in camp."

The tom bumped his nose to Brooksky's shoulder in a friendly way. He considered her a fine friend, one reason she was the deputy. He thought that she'd make a nice leader if he became too foolish and lost hte last of his lives. That felt more nad more likely with each day. "Why don't you lead a patrol later?" he suggested. "Get some time out of camp. From the looks of Blizzardfur, Snowcloud, and Icetail, they are up to something. Talk to them. I'm sure the younger warriors could use some time to give off energy."

The tom burst out with a grin to see the two cats come up to him. He recognized them with ease. Younger warriors that befriended him early in their apprenticeship. He found the two extremely fun to be around. Watching the tom's jaws clap together twice, he recognized the symbol for food. They obviously weren't talking about eating. If they were, they would've pointed ot it, right? He assumed it was hunting.

Ah, hunting. One thing Buckfur had been eager to teach his son. Icetail's eyes fell on the she-cat and his smile went from broad to sincere. A bow of the head showed he was willing to join them.

A lithe tom was moving around the edges of camp. He trembled here and there nervously from the air. It might've been Green-Leaf but it was cold to him. Then again, it was always cold to him. Grouseclaw was used to it. He tilted his head to see the Clan eagerly working on patrols and simply greeting each other. He jealously watched Brooksky discuss apprentices and patrols with the leader. An apprentice would've been a wave of fresh air.

Perking up, he padded towards the place where Creamfoot was. He was hoping that talking to the she-cat would lighten his mood.

[:c a i:]

Rainsong bounded forth in her usual, vibrant manner, smiling at a few cats who happened to look her way. She was full of energy and practically skipped across camp, only pausing when she was about to pass Adderstar and Brooksky. Initially she sped past them, but then, eager to know whether she had any duties this morning, she halted and backed up. "'Morning, Adderstar!" She meowed cheerfully with a brilliant smile. "'Morning, Brooksky! Am I doing anything this morning?" She asked. Perhaps it was a bit forwards of her to interrupt a conversation between the leader and deputy, but every cat knew how talkative Rainsong was. She often couldn't help herself from sliding into conversations which, to start with, had had nothing to do with her. Adderstar was probably used to her butting in by now, she thought wryly. Besides, she was only pausing in her high-speed routine for a brief moment. Rainsong was often busy and active, hating to be kept still for long.

Morning. It had come quickly and Nightclaw was feeling particularly reclusive today. He almost shied away from the early sunshine and ended up wandering vacantly across camp to a spot in the shade. From there, he focussed a bit more on who was in camp and watched as Rainsong bounded along, pausing to stop to Adderstar and Broosky who were, presumably, discussing the morning activities for the Clan. Today, Nightclaw hoped he did not have to go out early. He was content to remain where he was. With a sigh, he leaned forwards onto his forepaws and curled his dark tail around him. A long time until nightfall...

[froststream]

Brooksky smiled brightly at the bubbly she cat. She bowed her small head respectfully at Adderstar, and turned her pale gaze at Rainsong. "Not this morning," she chirped. "But I'll be sure to consider you for a later patrol. And of course, there's rarely anything about a good hunt. As long as you're in camp at sun-high for the midday patrol, I'm sure that we'll have something for you."

She flickered her gaze back to Adderstar. "Of course," she said, ducking her head. "That's fine with me. I'll see if we can get some more hunters out. I'm sure the pley will be plentiful after the light rain last night."

~~

"Yay!" Blizzardfur fur cheered. "We go hunting with Icetail! Yipee!"

Snowcloud was often a bit hesitant around Icetail. He was strong, sure enough, and even if deafness was basically his only big fault, she still felt that if she played to rough with him he'd get crushed, even if she was so small. Hunting, however, was a safe activity that didn't require much contact. Blizzardfur, on the other paw, wasn't shy at all. He bpunced around Icetail like a kit, smiling every which she couldn't help smile, too. It was contagious.

~~

Shadowmist flicked his ears in a sort of annoyance as he came out of his den. The sun was bright, the air warm, the ground soft. Most cats were bustling around, smiling, but he could barely make the corners of his mouth twitch upwards. What displeased him even further was that Nightclaw had taken his special spot. It was shaded and dark, one of the fewer places in the camp. And even if it was fairly large, he wasn't going to share it. Then he would have to talk. He was a fine conversationalist, but he hated doing it unless it was necessary.

[spike]

For Adderstar, a patrol was a breath of fresh air. He glanced at Rainsong, a hyper warrior in his mind. She was a sweetheart in the long-run and he admired her will to work. It was quite the opposite to warriors like Stormpelt. It was a nice feeling though. He was thankful that Brooksky stepped in to answer the other she-cat's question though. Adderstar was losing his touch for being deputy. He had been used to relying on her for that.

"Maybe you can help Ravenfeather," the tom suggested. "Now with Smallpaw back on his paws, she'll need help catching him up to the others. I don't want to see that little boy slacking." That was one apprentice Adderstar felt- not pity- pride for. He was sick often but he was a kind-hearted cat none the less. He continued to attempt training. It was a nice sign of courage within SkyClan.

Icetail waggled his rear end and pounced on Blizzardfur. With a good-natured purr, he was off and bounding around as the other warrior was. The older warrior kept glancing between the two, glancing between their eyes. He was jealous of a handful of cats. Blizzardfur, Snowcloud, Whiteflower, Hailwhisker, and Cloudpaw being that group. They were all white, just like he was. But their eyes were oh-so different.

Icetail whirled around, his tail seeming to be the item of the chase, before settling to a stop. He wanted to get out of here and he wanted to use some energy. It was hard dealing with it. Being stuck in camp as often as he was, getting out would be wonderful.

[Kitty]

"Hello, there, Grouseclaw," Creamfoot meowed. Grouseclaw was the oldest warrior in the Clan. Also the cat closest to herself in age. "How goes the warrior duties?" she purred rustily. Her gaze focused on Icetail across the clearing. The poor deaf cat. Hopefully he'd get out of camp today. Creamfoot would tell him stories, but he wouldn't be able to hear them. So she'd just have to content herself with watching him.

"I miss it sometimes, but then I try to walk up and down the gorge and I remember my old bones aren't meant for that kind of work!" she said, coughing a laugh. "Those were the days, though," she commented wonderingly, remembering back to when she was a warrior herself. Of course, he warriorship hadn't been all fun and games. She'd lost so many lvoed ones to StarClan...but of course, she'd seen them again someday, and probably within the next few moons.

"I'm glad someone's come to visit me. Its been rather lonely over here, in the sun all by my lonesome."

[Ki]

Smallpaw padded out into the sunlight. He squinted a bit as the new day sun hit his eyes directly. Smallpaw blinked until his eyes no longer felt pained by the bright sunlight. The apprentice smiled brightly. Finally! He could return to his training at long last! Green and blue eyes surveyed the camp. Some of the warriors were already up. His aunt was over at the fresh-kill pile. Meanwhile Creamfoot was laying just outside the elders' den, soaking in the sun. Smallpaw practically flew over to her. He was a very small, agile cat. He and his aunt were well-known for their lightning speed. He saw Grouseclaw with her as well and grinned at him.

"Good morning, Grouseclaw! And good morning, Creamfoot! Still haven't joined StarClan, I see!" This was his usual greeting to her. It was always playful and teasing. He would never dream of insulting her! StarClan forbid! Smallpaw nudged her good-naturedly before looking at Grouseclaw. "How are you both? Good, I hope?" Smallpaw liked both cats. Creamfoot had to the best stories, and Grouseclaw was a well-respected warrior.

Spottedsky glanced over towards he nephew. He, of course, darted straight for the elders' den. Ever since Smallpaw could toddle around the nursery he seemed very attached to old Creamfoot. The old she-cat mystified him with stories of StarClan and stories from her own life. Well, Smallpaw liked her at least. Spottedsky would leave him to his chatter for the moment. After he was finished talking she was going to make sure he felt perfectly fine. The she-cat swore she could still smell sickness on him. Shoving that thought aside momentarily, she took a few more tentive bites of her mouse.

[Yoko]

Fawnstep swept out of the warrior's den with her head held high and her eyes glinting with ferocity. Today would be great without a doubt. She padded right up to the Clan deputy and mewed, "Good Morning, Brooksky? Any patrols need leading today?"

So she had risen late. Didn't mean she couldn't lead the Clan through it's new day.

[spike]

Grouseclaw's head bowed slightly as he settled himself next to Creamfoot. He adored the elder as if she was his own mother. He liked the stories and such that she gave to any willing cat. She believed fiercely in StarClan, quite the opposite for the warrior. StarClan was a dream to him. But he pretended either way. It was a bad idea to speak up about that. It wasn't lying, just not speaking on the opinion.

"Warrior duties are d-duties," he stammered. The tabby perked up when Smallpaw appreared. His scent was faint of sickness. No, not faint. It was hidden beneath herbs and the natural scent of the nest he had slept in. "Good morning, Smallpaw," the tom mewed. "We are well. For now, that is. Another day in the Clan sometimes can be good or it can sometimes be bad. You would know, right?"

The tom placed his head on his paws and seemed to drift off in his mind. Yeah, the Clan life was nice but what he would do for a nice quiet day of rest! No more duties, no more fighting, no more of any of that. Was that the elder's life? That thought was shaken from his head to be reminded of his aspiration of an apprentice. "What of you, Smallpaw? Are you feeling well? I'm sure Ravenfeather and Adderstar would really want to get you to training again. Our leader has spoken his words about wanting to see you become a warrior with the other apprentice, Swiftpaw."

Adderstar gave a bow to those that appeared. "Brooksky, I'll leave this up to you. I'll just gather the few warriors for my dawn patrol. I trust you can keep the camp in order while I am away." He turned away and went after the nearest warrior, Lionstripe. The bulky tom ducked his head in greeting and then gave a smile of greeting.

"Good morning," he mewed good-naturedly. "Can you find Spottedsky and Kestrelpaw? And Lilypaw? I want to take the four of you on a patrol. It'd be a good time for you two to train your apprentices."

[Kitty]

Creamfoot rolled onto her back and laughed a loud, happy laugh. "Not quite yet, young one!" she cackled. "Give me another moon or so!" She grinned up at the apprentice, pleased that be seemed to be feeling much better than when she'd llast seen him. When was that? Oh yeah. Yesterday.

The old cat looked over at Grouseclaw. "Why so glum, middle one?" she asked, flipping back over. Her pale ginger coat was nwo coated in a fine light brown dust. She'd have to wash that out later. She cracked a grin. "Patrols are only patrols, hm?" she purred. Her eyes narrowed half teasingly and half in wistfulness. "Only to those who still go on them. For an old cat like me, we wish for the times that we could roam the territory without our joints aching or falling down a badger den."

She yawned. What a wonderful morning to lie around camp. But patrolling would be fun, too...too bad she'd never go on another patrol again. Not at her age. But that was okay. She had Smallpaw to keep her company.

Lionstripe was somewhat startled that his leader was leading a patrol, much less one that he was going on. But he dipped his head at Adderstar's request. "Certainly, Adderstar. I'll go fetch them." He stood and went off to search for his apprentice first. Knowing Lilypaw, she would be still asleep unless someone had awoken her. Usually that someone was him. Hopefully she would be on her best behavior for Adderstar today. That would prove he was a good mentor, and also it would prove to himself that Lilypaw could obey warriors sometimes. Sure, she was fun, and very pretty, too, but sometimes she had the hardest time listening!

But Lionstripe liked her anyway.

[Ki]

Smallpaw laughed with Creamfoot. The she-cat might as well be his kin as well. Whenever he was unwell (which was often) she'd make the trek over to the medicine cat den to see him and try to lift his spirits with a story or two. There were few cats as close as he and Creamfoot were. Of course he and his aunt were extremely close as well. It's just that Creamfoot was more of the type to spoil him, while Spottedsky usually brought him down to earth and put him in his place. It was a nice balance between the two of them.

"I don't think so, Creamfoot. At this rate, I'll beat you to StarClan! Smallpaw mewed playfully. He looked at Grouseclaw and smiled. The older tom was very nice, usually. "Yup...one day you feel as fit as can be, the next you're stuck in the medicine cat den for days on end." It was rare that Smallpaw felt completely fine. In fact the feeling was almost completely alien to him. Even then he felt oddly exhausted. But, of course, he wasn't going to let that stop him from training! His chest swelled with pride. At least Adderstar believed in him. Many cats were sure he'd die within the moon. But, then again, cats had been saying that ever since the day he was kitted! And, as Grouseclaw spoke, the dreaded question came: Are you feeling well? Uuuuggggh....he would have to count how many times he got asked that today. The number would probably get too high from him to count! "I feel well. I can't wait to get out of camp." The apprentice blinked jokingly at the two older cats, his tail twitching in happiness. "One thing is for sure: Sandcloud is going to have to drag me back into that den!" It got so incredibly boring laying around day after day, feeling miserable and having cats look at you sympathetically. Smallpaw was even aware of a nickname a few spiteful cats had for him: Crowfood.

That could be my warrior name! Smallpaw thought in grim amusement. Smallpaw refused to die until he was a warrior. Though he doubted he'd make it to an elder. Smallpaw couldn't imagine himself living to Creamfoot's age. "I can't wait to become a warrior. Creamfoot says my father was a great hunter and fighter. That's a lot to live up to, but I want to make him proud." Smallpaw would look identical to Ravenflight, if he were healthy. Perhaps if his mother had taken better care of himself Smallpaw would be exactly like Ravenflight: a good, average size, naturally muscular and lithe, devilish good looks, and sparkling green eyes. Instead Smallpaw still looked like a fresh apprentice. His features would be handsome, but they were worn down a bit by sickness so that he seemed to look a bit tired. The tom was slender like his father with long legs, but undeniably skinny due to his various sicknesses. Then there was the one blue eye that always seemed to make cats slightly uncomfortable.

It was a shame, truly. That such a great warrior could have such a puny son. Smallpaw knew what he was compared to Ravenflight. But he wasn't about to let that stop him. He was becoming a warrior like his father. Even if he had to battle the cats of StarClan themselves.