Hero Of The Day [Rustleheart x Racoonpaw]

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

Mama they try and break me
The window burns to light the way back home,
A light that warms no matter where they've gone...

To say that Rustleheart was happy in any way this fine morning would be a total overstatement. Usually, the tom was content enough to keep his maw in a straight line, but today, it was set into a scowl, his teeth barely showing as his lips curved upwards into a silent snarl. He trudged along the Moorland, his senses alert despite the anger gripping him. Lately, the boarders had been shaky, and tensions were running high. Thankfully, WindClan was the farthest from the problems, but even Rustleheart could feel the winds change. Everything was about to blow up into a vicious fire that would drive the Clans into an all out war. He could feel it....

Rustleheart stopped abruptly as winds brought strange scents over the land. A rogue... on his territory? No, he wouldn't stand for such violations, and boy did Rustleheart need to pick a bone with someone. Not only had tensions been running high, but his position as Deputy had been stolen right under his nose by Redfeather. It wasn't that Rustleheart didn't believe the WindClan warrior deserved it, but he wanted so badly to lead his Clan to greatness. He wanted to give back to the Clan that raised him and his siblings, Moonshadow and Beetleface, in the absence of their mother.

Rolling his muscular shoulders, Rustleheart padded quickly towards the boarder where his Rogue friend would be waiting. Soon enough, the overwhelming scent of a foreign animal... a foreign animal that might actually not be a cat after all. Perhaps... it was something bigger... something more threatening. If that was the case, as Rustleheart suspected, he would need another tooth and claw to help him. The Moorland, thankfully, was large, meaning that other cats from his Clan would be around to help him somewhere.

Quietly, Rustleheart doubled back, dashing silently through the tall grass to look for allies. The first cat he saw, however, was not quite the one he had hoped to find....

"Racoonpaw!" he yowled. "Are there any other cats with you? I need as many paws as possible to scout out the boarder on the Moorland with me."

They're off to find the hero of the day
But what if they should fall by someone's wicked way...

[♥Rösε]

Racoonpaw

My first kiss went a little like this;

Racoonpaw was walking along the moorland. His paws brushing against the grass blades beneith them as he walked. The sun was high in the sky and its rays caressed his brown and white pelt, turning them a nice snow white and bronze brown. Clouds were scattered across the skies stretching out far as his eyes could see. Every now and then the clouds would cover the sun and turn the moor an ashen grey. He paused, lifting his paw as if a deer caught in the act as he looked at the cloud that covered the sky. He liked the nice breeze that came with a cloudy day like today. His eye lids closed as he let the wind carry though his fur, it felt like his fur tingled. When it subsided he sat down, opening his lids and reveling his green eyes. They twinkled like tiny emeralds against his patched pelt. He was calm for once instead of all jumpy and nervous like he seemed to be now a days.

He wondered why he had been so weird this past moon, whenever anyone looked at him closly he got all fidgety and nervous, and it didn't matter who it was! Was that even normal? He sighed and looked down at his paws cursing his weird behavior under his breath. Racoonpaw took in a breath, a scent bitter like blood entered his glands. It was rage, or maybe anger he couldn't really tell. His ears flicked forward as he heard faint stomping over a few hills, standing up all the way. The tall and thin tom cat allowed his tail to flick and curl in curiousity and unease as he waited for whomever it was to storm by, and hopefully he wouldn't even be noticed. Ears flattening and showing off his face he took a step back as he noticed Rustleheart walking by and hint of fear and unease could be scented from the tom. Was something wrong? The other tom cat looked angry still by the scowl that was planted across his maw and Racoonpaw tilted his head to look at his face. Shaking his head quickly he looked to his paws, his cheeks burned lightly for some odd reason. Thankfully his fur hid this well.

"Racoonpaw!"

Racconpaw flinched slightly and lifted his green gaze up at the older tom cat. "Are there any other cats with you? I need as many paws as possible to scout out the boarder on the Moorland with me."[/color] Racconpaw glanced around as if expecting a group of cats to just magically appear before them. He narrowed his gaze in thought, didn't Ashstar just lead a potrol back to camp? If so it was only them out here at the moment. He gulped, he didn't suspect that Rustleheart would be happy about this information. Taking in a breath he tried to keep his nerves under cntrol enough to not stutter to much. "Ashstar just went back to camp with a potrol...."[/color] he mewed meekly before taking another breath. So far so good, sort of. "I.....I think were the only two out here...right now a...anyways."[/color] he mewed stuttering slightly, the though of them being alone made him a little uneasy.

Shifting on his paws a bit, he noticed that he was just above the other toms chin, wow was he tall for an apprentice. Though then again he was older than most of the others. Flicking his ears forward in a more confident way, even though his eyes showed he wasn't he took a step forward and froze into place. "Is s...something wrong? I...I could g..g..go with you if you want."[/color] he offered struggling to keep his voice at least calm sounding. He quickly turned to lick at his chest fur tocalm himself down, why did he have to be so nervous. Expecially since Rustleheart wasn't exactly the most patient of toms.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub][/color]

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

LET IT ALL BURN
I will burn first
God I've tried, am I lost in your eyes?

"Ashstar just went back to camp with a patrol...." he mewed meekly before taking another breath. Rustleheart's ears flicked at the news, wondering why his leader had neglected to check the far boarder where the feral, non-clan cats and other creatures roamed. Then again, Warstar was a busy leader, and under quite a bit of stress. No doubt, he was exhausted and merely forgot. "I.....I think were the only two out here...right now a...anyways."

"Fox-Dung," Rustleheart muttered in response. It wasn't that he didn't believe in Racoonpaw's skills. No, he was already almost a warrior, and large and powerful. It was his lack of confidence that made Rustleheart annoyed; however, unbeknownst to the younger tomcat, Rustleheart was much like him at his age. It had taken many years of hard training to become how he was now... and Rustleheart... was unbreakable. Or so he thought. Perhaps with the right experiences, Racoonpaw would turn out the same....

But why does something about that thought bother me? Rustleheart thought. It was odd; he rarely cared too deeply about a cat's personality, but for some reason, Racoonpaw made him slightly more antsy then the others. Perhaps it was because he saw so much of his former self in the younger cat... and perhaps, he didn't want Racoonpaw to change because he missed the days of his youth. Things were... happier then, for all of them... well, them being him and his brothers. Their mother, Ravenheart, was still alive....

"Is s...something wrong? I...I could g..g..go with you if you want." he offered, breaking Rustleheart of his thoughts. He swished his tail as he re-focused on the situation at hand.

"There's a strange scent at the far end of the Moorland. I doubt its anything a senior warrior can't handle, but just in case I need help, it would be good if you came along," Rustleheart responded rather bluntly. He waited a few moments, staring at the younger tom with his intense eyes, trying to figure out just what about Racoonpaw made him so irritable.

"Come on then!" he yowled suddenly. He turned around and started storming off into the tall grass, his figure vanishing beneath the long blades and leaving Racoonpaw in the dust. In all honesty, Rustleheart was growing nervous... but not about the boarder. No, it was more along the lines of where his thoughts were headed. He didn't like Racoonpaw, and yet, he identified with him all too well.

Why?

JUST LET ME BURN,
it's what I deserve.
God I've lied, am I lost in your eyes?

[♥Rösε]

Racoonpaw

My first kiss went a little like this;

Racconpaw waited patiently for Rustleheart's reaction, his face wasmore curious then scared this time as it seemed the older tom cat was mulling things over in his mind. His green gaze ran over the toms face for any sign of emotion, for some reason Racoonpaw was very observant and could notice the slightest of things or movements. "Fox-Dung,"

His ears flicked forward in time to catch that remark and guilt suddenly filled his features, why was he the one who felt bad about being the only ones here? It wasn't his fault and yet he wanted to apologize, and before he could even stop his mouth from moving he spoke softly, "Sorry..."[/color] Just a simple word was all he could say, and looked to his paws as if shamed by himself. He knew Rustleheart wanted experienced warriors to be here right now, not an almost warrior like himself. The thought gave him an odd pain in his chest, was it disappointment?

Flicking his gaze up at the older tom cat, he seemed to be deep in thought as well. He tilted his head slightly as he oticed that Rustlehearts gaze was also on him, and without reason he felt his cheek warm up again benieth his cheeks. Blinking twice he looked back to his paws quickly, lifting a paw and examining it to pass some time. "There's a strange scent at the far end of the Moorland. I doubt its anything a senior warrior can't handle, but just in case I need help, it would be good if you came along,"[/color] Racoonpaw flinched at the bluntness of his voice, but deep inside himself he was, pleased? Happy the Rustleheart even wanted him to come along he could have just sent him away, but no he wanted him to come. Why did he feel so giddy all of a sudden? This was odd. Calming his insides down enough to reply, with something he nodded his head. "Ill do my best to help."[/color] he mewed cooly, for once, and that even surprised himself. He placed a slight, yet charming half smile on his maw as he waited for the signal to leave.

"Come on then!"[/color] His eyes widened at the sudden outburst, and he could have sworn he caught an emotion in his eyes before he turned and raced off. He sighed, it was to fast to tell this time, jumping to his paws he ran to catch up with Rustleheart. For some reason the tom now infuriated him, what was with the mood swings? He was acting like some emotional female, and it scared him. Narrowing his gaze, his shyness was forgotten for just a moment. Picking up pace, he ran past the ginger tom and slid into a stop in front of him. "Listen, if you really don't want me here I can leave."[/color] he huffed, though for some reason it hurt him inside. Just then he stopped, lifting his head to take in the scents. Something was definatly off. Turning almost abruptly away from the infuriating, yet captivating tom cat he walked towards the borders. Beside the border along ShadowClan's side was a patch of bushes. Tilting his head he looked towards it, a dead carcess of a bird was sitting on the other side, though pretty close to WindClan territory. Were they stealing prey?

Taking a close look at the bird, it loked more ripped, not hunted by a cat. He took one fore step towards it, standing on his side of the border yet on the line. Without a second blink a badger came roaring out of the bushes. Before Racoonpaw even had a chance to turn his head a paw smashed into his side and sent him rolling across the grass. Shaking his head, his vision was blurry slowly clearing as the big animal walked maliciously towards the tom cat.[/blockquote][/sub][/color]

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

BREATHING IN
Lightning
Tonight's For Fighting...

Rustleheart barely had any time to think of a reply to Racoonpaw before he went trudging off towards the odd smell. In a small rush of panic, Rustleheart followed as quick as he could, but lost the apprentice in the tall grass for a few moments. Mentally, he cursed himself for being so careless. If this was something dangerous, then there was no way Racoonpaw could deal with it himself.

Thinking quickly, Rustleheart lifted his head, pricking his ears for any sound of his companion. The strange smell in the air was making it extremely difficult to differentiate anything with his nose, and so this was his second best bet. Thankfully, or maybe not thankfully, a yowl of surprise sounded not too far off, giving Rustleheart all the information he needed to find the younger tom.

Unfortunately, when the older tom went crashing through the bushes, he hadn't been expecting Racoonpaw to fly towards his feet at the hand of a badger. Silently, Rustleheart thanked StarClan that it wasn't a fox, or he would have been as useless as a kit right now.

But then, with another look at Racoonpaw, Rustleheart had a strange overwhelming feeling wash over him. Rage... a fury stronger then he'd ever felt. Heated waves of energy poured off him as he lifted his gaze towards the badger who had knocked his companion over. A feral, vicious hiss escaped his maw as he showed his fangs at the larger creature, "Pick on someone your own size you piece of fox-dung!"

Without any further warning, Rustleheart shot forward like an arrow, slipping underneath the badger's belly and turning on his back to slice open its unprotected skin with his claws. Blood poured out onto the senior warrior's face, stinging his eyes on contact, but he didn't dare close them. In fact, in some ways, now that he was seeing red literally it only amplified the feeling of rage within him. At this moment, he would do anything to kill the badger who'd hurt Racoonpaw.

But of course, to think he could do it alone was foolish. At the sensation of being hurt, the badger reared up, turned around, and brought it's huge claws down on Rustleheart. The huge animal crushed the senior warrior into the ground with an awful sounding crunch. The tom let out a wail of agony, but didn't waste a moment to rest. He bit down as hard as he could on the creature's foot, drawing blood and sending a sickening taste into his mouth.

However, the badger bit through the pain this time, instead forcing more weight onto Rustleheart's small body. A choking gasp escaped the tom as his sight started to darken. He was going to be suffocated if someone didn't help him!

"Racoon...paw," he managed to spit out.

THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU TOUCH MY GIRL
Come Around No More...

[♥Rösε]

Racoonpaw

My first kiss went a little like this;

Racoonpaw layed there his world was still slightly spinning and he wasn't sure if he could get up without tipping over like a cut down tree. His body was slowly stabilizing though he could feel his limbs getting a little more stronger. Shakign his head, his cheek fur flittered like tiny ribbons before he noticed the badgers body so close to his. His eyes widened before an enraged yowl caused him to flinch and turn his green gaze up towards Rustleheart. He didn't know the tom care that much, he had no time to be girly about it though, and tried to get to his paws but stumbled back. He wasn't sure what to do right now, part of him wanted to tell Rustleheart to leave so he didn't get hurt. The other part wanted to cower, but he could not do that. He gasped at the pain from his side, it was bruised pretty badly, thankfully nothing broken.

"Pick on someone your own size you piece of fox-dung!"

Racoonpaw lifted his head back to Rustleheart who shot towards the badger like a bullet. You could see the moons of experience the tom had as he slid under the badger and it one swift move blood splattered onto the tom. Racoonpaws eyes widened, he was terrified not for himself, but for Rustleheart. He could see the paws of the badger come crashing down with full force. He squeaked in shock, and was frozen. He had to help him, but he was to terrified. come on be brave! he tried to order himself but he wouldn't move and when the badgers paws started to crush him more. He could hear a crack, and that was not good, followed by a wail of agony that clentched at his heart. He could not let this happen to the tom cat, he just needed some momentum somehow. Racoon...paw,"[/color] that voice was it, he could feel his muscles tighten as he pulled himself to his paws, ignoring the pain at his side. Which he now noticed with lightly bleeding from a cut from the badger claw.

Growling he raced towards the badger, green optics narrowed in anger and hatred for the cream colored monster. "Leave him alone!"[/color] he snarled and launched himself onto the badgers back, digging his claws into his shoulders and bitting down on its neck. He could feel like blood enter his mouth as the badger reared away from Rustleheart, good. A paw smacked into his face, and he could feel his jaw crack slightly and he tumbled off. Thinking of Rustleheart trying to recooperate, he got to his paws, swaying a bit. The lder apprentice coughed and glared at the beast. Yowling he ran towards it again but this time it seemed more defensive, rather than offensive, swiping at him a few times, which he barly got out of the way of. With a quick swpe of his own claws its raked along its shoulder anf the badger rared, but turned and fled off towards ShadowClan. He breathed heavily, feeling the adrenaline fading from his system and he swayed , feeling his legs buckle. His eyes fell on Rustleheart however and he slowly and carefully walked towards him. "Rustleheart? Are you ok?[/color] he asked, managing to sit beside him. He touched his nose gently to the toms shoulder and mussle to check for breathing.

He knew they should tell Ashstar about the badger, but right now they had to take care of themselves. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub][/color]

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ACCUSE ME?
The Ones Who Beat Me Down And Bruise Me?

Rustleheart's eyes finally gave out as he breathed what he thought was his last breath. With is world swirling in a black abyss, many thoughts passed through his mind, the biggest of them being regret. He did not want to die. He couldn't allow it... now while Moonshadow and Beetleface still needed him.... and not only that, but the rest of the Clan. Racoonpaw! The badger could still get to him after it was finished with his small body. A wheeze escaped Rustleheart as he struggled to cling to life, but he could feel his consciousness fading from him. A light started to fill his senses... a bright, soft, welcoming, warm blue light... one that seemed to call his name. This was the entrance to StarClan.

A wind carrying a familiar scent wafted towards him... one so familiar, yet so distant to him.... Ravenheart! His mother! Oh, how he had missed her during his days as an apprentice....

"Rustleheart!" her voice called. Her sweet, lulling voice that he had only heard too little times in his life. It was as gentle as he remembered it, and as beautiful... and yet, it carried another tone. One that he was more familiar with. Worry.

"Why are you worried mother?" he breathed. "We're together again."

"It is not your time yet son. There are those back at home waiting for your return," her voice replied. Rustleheart squinted ahead of him into the light as he noticed a movement. Was it really her? If it was, he didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay there.... "There is someone closer then you think as well."

"Moonshadow? Beetleface?" he asked. "They would understand if I came to take care of you mother... we... we all feel so lost without you...." and then, as he trailed off, his mother finally appeared before him. Her beautiful black coat stunned Rustleheart to one spot, and her kind, deep eyes seemed to see into his very core. Tears escaped his eyes as he realized just how much he had forgotten her presence. She was so different then how he had remembered... so young, lively....

"Rustleheart, I am proud of you. You and your brothers. But your job at home is not done yet. Dark times are ahead for the Clans, and you vowed to protect them all. From the moment you were born, I knew you were ready for great things... you were going to rustle the Clans up with your grace, power, love, and endlessly kind heart. Open yourself up my son. There is more to your life then just protecting others. Some want to return the favor...."

Rustleheart couldn't take it any longer, and moved his head forward, hoping to touch his mother as he did when he was a kit by nuzzling her with his maw... however, what he ended up touching was not his mother. Suddenly, his consciousness returned, and the scents in his nose changed. He found himself with his nose to nose with Racoonpaw, and when his brain finally realized it, he let himself fall limp in the grass.

"I'm okay," he gasped, purposely avoiding Racoonpaw's gaze. Instead, he found himself looking up at the skies, wondering, if he would ever be able to see his mother again. However, he was not a dumb cat... he knew that Ravenheart had meant he had to go back so he could take care of Racoonpaw. He had, after all, saved the senior warrior. "Thank you," he finished. "I thought I was in StarClan for sure...."

And I was... for a moment. Mother.... I hope this was worth it... he thought.

After a few moments more of silence, Rustleheart managed to push himself onto his four and shakily stand up. His bones and muscles ached, and it hurt to breathe, but otherwise, he was okay. For sure, he had suffered greater pains, though most of those pains were to his heart, not his physical self. "We should make sure that badger left," he stated between labored breaths. He limped forward, stumbling in the grass as sharp waves of agony erupted in his chest. Perhaps... this was the worst injury he has suffered. Though there was virtually no blood of his own on him, he knew his ribs were crushed. Regardless....

Rustleheart hissed as he attempted to take another step, and then another. Slowly, he started his way towards the bushes, his focus completely set on putting one paw in front of the other. He was walking into another death trap.... unless someone stopped him.

THEY HIDE JUST OUT OF SIGHT
Can't Face Me In The Light
They'll Return But I'll Be STRONGER....

[♥Rösε]

Racoonpaw

My first kiss went a little like this;

The young tom cat sat there, worried Rustleheart's gaze seemed to dim before closing. No! Not him, Racoonpaw tried to locate his clanmates injuries, maybe there was something he could do.Sniffing around he did not find much, sadly most of them must be internal and he had no skill in doing that. All he knew were of some simple herbs but nothing this deep. His eyes drooped sadly, as his gaze seemed to glisten lightly. "Rustleheart...don't leave. Please."

he mewed softly, knowing that he probably couldn't hear him. His ears flattened against his skull as he waited, seeing very faint breathing. He just hoped it wouldn't stop completly. His emerald optics softened as he wiped a single tear off his face. Why was he crying? He was an apprentice, he should handle this better, but something about it was different. Maybe because it was Rustleheart and not some other cat?

Seeing his body stir a bit, his ears perked and he lowered he face again to check for stronger breathing. Suddenly a nose rubbed onto his and he blinked in surprise. His cheeks flared under his fur as Rustleheart's eyes shot open and he looked away from him. Racoonpaw didn't know what to say or do, so he kept silent. His green gaze resting lightly on the tom cat before him."Thank you,"..."I thought I was in StarClan for sure...."[/color] Racconpaw could only nod, dumbly before he tried to get ahold of himself. "I couldn't let that thing hurt you."[/color] he mewed gently before watching as Rustleheart tried to get up. etting to his paws quickly a sharp pain in his side and jaw caused him to wince, he had almost forgotten about his own injuries since he was to worried for Rustleheart. Regaining his balence for a moment he watched as he tried to limp away after the badger. We should make sure that badger left,"[/color] Racoonpaw watched as he went towards the bushes, shaking his head he managed to trot his way in front of the tom and stop him. Though the blood trickled down his fur like rain he stood before the older tom.

"It's ShadowClans problem now, going oer there is going to get you killed."[/color] His tone was serious and laced with concern. "We need to report back to Ashstar, and get you treated. Before then, lets just rest a minute. Unless you think you can make it back to camp now."[/color] he was completly selfless right now, not even thinking about getting himself treated. Part of him didnt want to go back to camp, beause they wouldn't be here together anymore, but the other part wanted him to be better again, by having a medicine cat look at his wounds. Even if it meant that Rustleheart would go back to ignoring him later, it was worth his life. Why was his mind reacting this way? It was really starting to weird him out. Taking a few limps towards Rustleheart, he stopped waiting for his answer.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/sub][/color]

[Shadow Da Smiffster]

HOW COULD I BE CONDEMNED
For The Things That I've Done,
If My Intentions Were Good?

"It's ShadowClan's problem now, going over there is going to get you killed," the younger cat said with more sternness then Rustleheart had ever heard from him before. A wave of emotion passed through the older tom that was unfamiliar to him; relief. "We need to report back to Ashstar, and get you treated. Before then, lets just rest a minute. Unless you think you can make it back to camp now."

Rustleheart said nothing in response, his frame shaking as his muscles worked to keep himself upright and standing through the agony gripping at his chest. Curiously, his eyes searched Racoonpaw's own orbs, wondering just what made him so concerned for his well being. No cat ever stuck up for him quite like this..l. and somewhere within Rustleheart... he was flattered by this. Of course, that feeling didn't come without some sense of irritation as well....

"Talking back to a Senior Warrior," Rustleheart finally spoke, his voice completely devoid of emotion. "Brave, naive, arrogant, and stupid Racoonpaw...." he trailed off, attempting to step forward once again, but then, as another spasm of pain took over his body, he stopped, and lay himself down on the ground. "Exactly like me when I was your age...." he sighed at last as he attempted to make himself comfortable.

"Sit Racoonpaw. You have a nasty wound yourself. It's not worth heading back to camp like this. One of my brothers will find me eventually, and they can help us get back when they sense me out here...." he trailed off, his gaze turning towards the quickly darkening sky. It was odd to see a badger around the boarders at this time of year... and in WindClan territory was even odder. Worry prickled at his pelt as the thought of that creature coming back entered his mind.

"You're especially like me Racoonpaw," he said, mostly to himself. "It's a bit unnerving. Don't turn out like me though....."

I GUESS I'LL NEVER KNOW
Some Things Under This Sun
Can Never Be Understood