Where Do We Go From Here? [Private w/ Rose]

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

How Much More Do We Want
_{Until We're Satisfied?}

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Swiftpaw stood as close to the rock wall as possible, her eyes narrowed and her upper lip curled into a vicious snarl. She was young, a kit still, but used to the treatment she received from her brother, sister, and father. A sharp hiss erupted from her chest, sending vibrations through the air strong enough to bring a chill to her enemy's spine... if she wasn't a kit.

"Swiftpaw, I want you to attack Lionpool," her father, no, stepfather, said with the utmost seriousness. Swiftpaw stared up at her 'father' momentarily, before staring back at her opponent, her half-brother. With a start, she realized how much larger this feline was then her. She was severely outmatched... and her father knew it. One look at his sadistic, smirking face, and she was sure of it.

Still, she could not disobey him, right? Swiftpaw charged forward, ready to bring down the huge dog, but things would never turn out how she wanted back then. She was weak, ignorant.... This warrior... was moons more experienced then her. She was just a kit after all....

Almost immediately, Swiftpaw found herself with teeth to her neck, just poking through her skin and making her bleed. She let out a cry of fear, but dared not utter a word to the giant cat. Her father would surely save her, right?

"Lionpool, enough! You are ready for the life of a warrior. I have trained you well if you can attack a kit without mercy," her father said, his voice more vile then anything Swiftpaw had ever, or would ever hear. The giant cat let her go, letting Swiftpaw scurry away to the safety of her den. Her heart was screaming in her ears.

But unfortunately, it was only the first of many more mental scars she would receive in the moons to come...

***

With a start, Swiftpaw awoke from her fitful nightmare, her blood pumping through her veins so fast, she could have sworn that she'd really been running for her poor life. Idly, she brought a paw up to her neck, only to let out a sigh of relief that her neck was not bleeding.

"The same dream again," she muttered to herself. She cast her eyes around the apprentices den, her pupils wide to make sure she could see every detail. After all, Swiftpaw didn't want to trip over anyone on her way out of the dens. There was no sleep after a horror like that.

Lifting herself, Swiftpaw scurried out of the den as quietly and as quickly as she could, her body aching for the feel of cold night air. Anything to get her mind off the dream she'd just had, no matter how false it seemed to be. Swiftpaw had often spent hours trying to figure out if her dreams were true, or some kind of sign, or something... but when she thought back to her life as a kit, no such thing happened. That, and surely Barkstar would have stopped such a thing from going on.

Regardless, there was still an aspect of that dream that was true: her step father and half siblings hated her. They hated her for being half RiverClan in blood. They hated her mother for her sin against the Warrior Code, and in many ways, Swiftpaw hated them all just as equally.

She stepped outside, giving her pelt a shake to relieve herself of the heavy visions she'd just had. Swiftpaw padded out to the center of camp, casting her eyes around to make sure no one was watching. A light of mischief flickered in her eyes, and suddenly, she was bounding towards the Highledge, climbing its side like their leader, and standing at the top proudly.

Let all cats old enough to gather their own prey gather below Highledge for a clan meeting! she thought, wishing that she could say those words. It wasn't unusual for an apprentice to one day wish they were leader, but Swiftpaw often took her wishful thinking to a whole new level. After all, how many apprentices would actually waste their time fantasizing quite like this?

Infinity,
_{Where do we go from here?}

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[♥Rösε]

Earthpaw

Through the undergrowth a brown tabby pelt inched its way forward. Slightly oversized paws slowly pressed against the earth as they moved. A tail like a snake curled an inch above the ground to allow no false sounds to come from its brush. Through the bushes he twined himself, positioning his body to move in tight places easily, which was pretty hard to do considering his height. His legs moved over the branches and around the thorns, though one or two snagged against his pelt. Earthpaw moved with stealth, this was one of his training methods. He did it just incase any time would call for it, a raid maybe. Though he knew that was not likly to happen. But you never really did know. His sea green eyes glinted against the leaves slightly more aquatic than those of pure emerald green.

The tabby moved his way through the bushes towards the edge. He had been at this for awhile and yet still did not lose his patience. A flutter of leaves made his jumped and a thorn cut through his shoulder. Earthpaw gritted his teeth to keep from hissing and quickly pushed his way out of the bush. Leaves were tangled in his fur and looked messy and unkept. Shaking his pelt vigorously the leaves fluttered around. Floating gracefully to the forest floor, turning his head he noticed his wound. It was slightly bigger than a scratch but not very large either. He grumled at himself for his own stupidity. Blood trickled from his cut and it stained his fur with blood. Licking at it the foul taste entered his mouth but he kept at it. His tounge runing over it swiftly and soon enough it was cleaned off.

Spitting out some of the taste he walked alway, the tall senior apprentice moved easily through the forest. He had this wise and serious look about him, a stick in the mud with a pelt to match. He worked to hard that was sure and most of the time he never really stopped to have fun. He was always older in mind than he really was, which is probably why he got along better with the older cats than some of his fellow apprentices. He never really thought about himself as anything higher than he was, he accepted his rank. Though it would soon change. His wariorship was not to far off and the thought of finally reaching it made him beam with pride. He had waited patiently and worked hard to live up to his upcoming role. His ears flicked as a song bird started to sing and he watched it with careful eyes. Did the clan need more prey? He was quite sure it was pretty full. For once he could not think of any work that had to be done. He shifted on his paws slightly.

Well I guess I'll just hang around camp to see if any potrols need to be done. He thought to himself before arching his back. A yawn escaped his maw as he finished and shook his head to wake himself up. Turning he walked quietly towards camp, letting the silence dance around him. He quite liked the silence it allowd him to think. His stormy green eyes shimmered softly against the morning light as the earthy pelted tom entered ThunderClan camp. The lighter shades of brown looked handom against his darker colors, and the black tabby stripes etched elegantly along his thin yet muscular frame. He stopped something seemed quite off. A tightened hi brows together in confusion and took a look around. His gaze landed on Swiftpaw who ws on top of high ledge. He tilted his head, pretending she was leader? He guessed by the look in her eyes, he found it a bit childish that she would tak it to that level but shrugged it off. She was allowed her own way of life and if it included dreaming she could do it all she wanted. Besides maybe one day she could be.

He let one small smile appear on his face. His eyes were clearly amused. "Morning Swiftstar!"

he called cheerily before chuckling softly to himself. He dipped his head in an 'i know what you were doing' kind of way before walking towards the fresh kill pile. He may be a work a holic but he was no dream crusher. Sitting down the tall and long legged tom cat chose a mouse for his breakfast and with his slightly larger paws rolled it towards himself. He didn't even realise that his cut was bleeding again. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub][/color]

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

She
She Screams In Silence
A Sullen Riot Penetrating Through Her Mind

Lost in her own blissful imagination, Swiftpaw didn't even hear Earthpaw approach the camp. No, instead, she was sitting on the highlege, addressing the Clan and naming an Apprentice....

"Morning Swiftstar!" a voice cried cheerily, breaking Swiftpaw's thoughts completely. With a start, the she-cat leapt up, her legs leaving the safety of the ledge and flailing out in front of her as she struggled to land correctly. Thankfully, jumping was one of Swiftpaw's natural talents due to her rather strange build, and she did land gracefully, though, the surprise of the whole thing hurt her pride a lot more then her physical being... which in Swiftpaw's mind could easily be just as bad.

She shook her pelt out, hoping it would lay flat after the motion to hide her embarrassment. Swiftpaw hadn't even taken a glimpse as to who had caught her, but prayed to StarClan it wasn't her mentor, or worse, the Leader himself. Thankfully, when Swiftpaw finally located Earthpaw at the fresh kill pile... no wait, this was nearly just as bad. He was Barkstar's son after all! A wave of self-consciousness washed over Swiftpaw, for a reason she really couldn't explain. Normally, she didn't mind when others caught her acting like a kit, but today was different. Perhaps it was because she was uneasy since her nightmare?

Nodding to herself, she decided that was a good a reason as ever, and silently padded towards Earthpaw. She smiled innocently, not denying that she had been acting like a kit, but not saying anything to justify it either. Besides, Earthpaw probably had his own ambitions....

"Mornin' Earthpaw," the she-cat announced happily, her previous self-consciousness vanishing. "I thought I was the only one awake, but I suppose not. What were you doing up- WOAH-" Swiftpaw cut herself off suddenly, her pupils growing wide at the sight of the scratch on Earthpaw, which was slowly trickling blood. "Daw, Earthpaw, you went out to have fun without me?!" she complained sarcastically. In truth, Swiftpaw knew right away from the scratch on the young tom's back what had happened. Unknown to some, but not to the bright apprentice, she knew of Earthpaw's habits. She knew of everyone's habits, strengths, weaknesses.... it was just a thing she remembered easily. While Swiftpaw wasn't a naturally talented fighter, she made up for it with loads of memory capacity.

"Earthpaw, for a Senior Apprentice you sure can be clumsy. Don't get your fur stuck in brambles! I'd tell you to go get some cobweb, but it might be a little embarrassing to show up with such an injury!" she teased as she picked out her own morsel from the fresh kill pile. She lay down beside her denmate, and quietly began to start her meal. Still, as she ate, she couldn't help but smell the metallic scent of Earthpaw's blood. It unnerved her, even if it was a very insignificant cut. Shifting uncomfortably, Swiftpaw brought a paw up to her neck again, as if the scent of a fellow cat's blood brought back the nightmare she'd just dreamed. A pathetic mew escaped her lips without her noticing as she brought her paw down, and flexed her claws in and out of the soft dirt....

Waiting For A Sign
To Smash The Silence With The Brick of Self-control...

[♥Rösε]

Earthpaw

Earthpaw let his gaze run over the prey again. He wondered if the queens, or rather, queen was fed already. Lilybreeze was the only queen in ThunderClan at the moment, one of his fathers best friends. She was mate to Barkshadow, though he never had any problems with the tom he did feel a bit uneasy around him, like he was hiding something. Giving a quick shiver Earthpaw turned his attention back on his own prey. The mouse was still slightly warm against him paw, meaning the potrol must have brought it back earlier this morning. For some odd reason he didn't feel very hungry but he needed to eat. He hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon. Leaning down his shoulder muscles rippled against his pelt. He eyed it again for a moment before sinking his teeth into it.

The warm taste entered his mouth, which was much needed after tasting blood before hand. Suddenly hunger gnawed at his stomach and he took another bite. While chewing he heard pawsteps thud against the ground, his ears flicked in response to the noise. Lifting his sea green gaze he noticed Swiftpaw making her way over to him. Reading her expression he noticed she was a bit startled and embaressed by his interuption. He wouldn't bring it back up since there was no need to and turned back to take another bite of his prey. "Mornin' Earthpaw,"

a happy voice entered his ears and he lifted his head. Nodding a greeting again to the she-cat. He eagerly swiped his tongue over his jowls before sitting up straight. His tail neatly folded over his front paws.

I thought I was the only one awake, but I suppose not. What were you doing up- WOAH-"[/color] Earthpaws ears perked up at her sudden alarm and he followed her gaze to his shoulder. It seemed his shoulder was bleeding again. He stared at it for a moment watching the blood tricled down like tears down a face. He shrugged it off, it wasn't THAT big and it would heal up pretty quickly. "It's nothing."[/color] he commented quickly, easily dismissing the subject. Swiftpaw didn't seem to want to let it go. "Daw, Earthpaw, you went out to have fun without me?!"[/color] Her sarcastic tone rung in his ears and they flattened instantly. He snorted and turned to eat the last remainants of his mouse. It was quiet for a moment and Earthpaw relaxed a little, and lifted his head.

"Earthpaw, for a Senior Apprentice you sure can be clumsy. Don't get your fur stuck in brambles! I'd tell you to go get some cobweb, but it might be a little embarrassing to show up with such an injury!"[/color] Earthpaw's gaze narrowed his pride was hurt and he puffed up his chest in response. He held back a remark but gritted his teeth letting his tail twitch with annoyance. Releasing a breath he calmed his nerves. "Any injury no matter how small proves something. Yes it was from brambles, but what if I got it scoping out an enemy camp? Then would mean more?"[/color] his voice was calm yet monotone as you can see he was a bit sour from the comment.

Noticing her move around at the sight of blood, he softened just a tad. Was she that squimish? If she was, she was in the wrong line of business. A warrior life was not exactly rainbows and songs. She felt at her neck then, as if something would suddenly appear. Tilting his head out of curiousity he looked up at her face. Letting it slide easily into a gentle face, one that would make most melt. A bit of concern leaked from his eyes. "Swiftpaw...are you alright?"[/color] he asked his voice light and warm. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub][/color]

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

Dreaming,
I Was Only Dreaming
Of Another Place And Time Where My Family's From...

The question rang in Swiftpaw's ears, echoing and repeating in her mind as if it were an endless abyss. Her claws continued to dig into the soft earth, her fur fluffing out and her muscles tensing. The dream was playing out in front of her, clear as day. Out in that forest she had almost been murdered by her own flesh and blood.

But that was just a dream.

Yet, why did it feel so real? Why did it continue to haunt her despite the fact that Swiftpaw knew it was fictional, something her mind had made up that only appeared in her fitful sleep? The smell of blood, her own blood, the feel of Lionpool's fangs around her neck... and Bramblepelt, her step-father... ordering the elder Warrior to attack her. She was a kit in her dream! What sort of Warrior would do that to a poor helpless kit?

Shaking her head, the question Earthpaw had asked finally reached her brain, and immediately, Swiftpaw forced herself to relax. Surely, he'd have noticed her awkward behavior, and so lying about it would be a blatantly obvious. Aside from Swiftpaw, Earthpaw was among the smartest young cats in the clan, though, in quite a different way. He was perceptive... wise....

Swiftpaw was just an encyclopedia. In some ways, she was jealous of the older apprentice, but... it didn't matter. Soon enough, they would both be Warriors, fighting and serving their Clan. The thought of patrolling her boarders and protecting them from cats like the sinister version of Bramblepelt in her dream... pleased Swiftpaw beyond belief. With positive thoughts in mind, the apprentice was finally able to respond: "I've been better, but it's nothing you have to worry about. Just uh... a bad dream if you will."

Swiftpaw paused, the air growing thick with awkwardness. Never before had she had so many moodswings in such a short period of time. Fear, bliss, embarrassment, sarcastic, fearful again, proud... and now awkward. Idly, Swiftpaw wondered why this was, but her mind was not built for reading emotions. As was said before, Swiftpaw was an encyclopedia, not an old wise she-cat.

"Um," she mumbled. "Do you want me to fetch you something to clean up your scratch? It must sting, even if you did get it from a bramble. Last time that happened to me I had to bite my tongue to not complain about it."

Dying,
Everyone's reminded
Hearts are washed in misery
Drenched in gasoline

OOC: Bleh post is bleh. ><