F.i.r.e. B U R N I N G

[Cricketfoot]

Wind swept through the forest, sending the scents of fresh grass and life through the air. The strong smell of new-leaf was all around, drawing small animals from their burrows and birds from their perches. The grass was a bright green, having just recovered from the snow that had been brought by leaf-bare. On this fine day, there was a light breeze; sunlight dappled the forest floor below, even giving warmth through the thick branches of the trees. On those branches sat little buds, soon to form into the thick canopy leaves. Though, except for the occasional call of a bird or the clatter of branches in the wind, the forest was silent.

Like a snake, the ginger figure slipped through the undergrowth. As his thick build moved gingerly, barely a shudder was emitted from the plants in his wake. Claws lightly scraped the dirt as he moved forward. Eyes like the leaves above him were locked; his gaze seemed to burn into his target. A tiny heartbeat rang in his ears, making his mouth water at the thought of his prey. The small gray body of a mouse sat just a tail-length away, unaware of its certain doom, happily nibbling on a seed. Tensing, every muscle under the cat’s long ginger fur was evident, his claws extended to their farthest reaches.

The poor little creature had no idea what hit him. With one confident leap, Adderpaw had his prey, hooked by one claw. Though, as the apprentice steadied himself, he felt his claws sink further into the small piece of prey. Lifting his paw, he could see he all but completely crushed the prey, blood sliding down his claws and into his fur where it disappeared into the ginger, barely noticeable. “Foxdung!” The tom swore, shaking the lump of flesh off his paw. “I did not mean to do that.” He muttered to himself, flicking his plumed tail.

The tom knew that that piece of prey was most definitely not acceptable to bring back to the clan. Bring that thing back would surely make him look bad among his clanmates and as the oldest apprentice, he had to keep all of his clanmates high view of him alive. For, he could just taste his warrior ceremony, becoming a strong warrior, instead of being the lowly apprentice he was at the moment. Why they had kept him an apprentice for so long, Adderpaw did not understand. Nearing his twelfth moon, he had seen younger cats become warriors before him. Every time another cat was named a warrior before him, a fire that burned in the young cat grew stronger. It was threatening to consume him but still, somehow, Adderpaw was able to control it.

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Words:454
Character: Adderpaw
Completed

[Venomstrike]

Sunlight shone through the branches of the Tall Pines. It was a beautiful NewLeaf day. Prey was about and the birds sang. Perfect for his apprentice to practice his hunting skills. Little did Adderpaw know, this was an early assessment to see how he was doing so far. The night before, he had thought about battle training in the sandy hollow. However today had deemed to be all to perfect to pass up hunting.

Bramblefire watched carefully from his spot in the bushes. He hoped that his scent would not distract his apprentice in his search for prey. "That's unlikely... There is plenty of prey out today." A bird flew overhead and he thought that maybe Adderpaw would go after it, should it land. However it seemed that his apprentice had already spotted something on the ground.

He moved carefully, trying hard not to scare the mouse that Adderpaw had spotted. Bramblefire observed the moves that had been passed down from countless generations. He admired how well that his apprentice executed the moves with great accuracy. I have taught him well... He looked back up again, just in time to see Adderpaw jump upon the mouse.

Uh oh... From the looks of it, his apprentice had used a little too much force when striking his mouse. The mouse had been completely crushed under the paws of the ginger apprentice. It was a mistake, but not that bad of one.

Bramblefire emerged from his hiding place in the bushes. "Good Try young one. Better luck next time." He hoped his apprentice didn't take this too hard, it was an easy mistake to make. He remembered the first time he had done the same thing. "You will be a great warrior. I know it." I just hope it's soon... He decided that tonight he would speak to Snowstar.

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Words: 326
Character(s): Bramblefire
Muse: Medium-ish.

[berrycloud]

Snowstar sat in his den. He had been so busy but now he had nothing to do.
Call yourself a leader?! Snowstar rosed to his paws. He had to go and do something! He can't just stay here all day. He could go and hunt for the clan couldn't he? Snowstar walked to wards the exited of the den. He could hear kits playing and cats talking. He kept walking to the camp exit feeling his paws hit the soft dirt.
It's nearly time for Adderpaw to become a warrior. He's had waited longer than any other apprentice.
Snowstar was so lost in thought that he didn't see Adderpaw and his mentor.

[Cricketfoot]

Adderpaw whirled around with a hiss of surprise. His mentor’s voice made him jump, shoving the destroyed prey off to the side hurriedly. Though, when he saw the older cat’s understanding glance, the tom relaxed. The fluffed fur around his neck flattened and his ears reluctantly went back to their upright position. He didn’t drop his defensive pose; there was no relaxing that for a while. ‘Paranoid much?’ His own thoughts seemed to ask and Adderpaw snorted as he forced his muscles to relax. “I didn’t know you were there Bramblefire.” The ginger apprentice apologized, sitting down in the grass.

On the inside though, Adderpaw cringed. Bramblefire had seen the awful mistake that he made. It was almost painful for the cat to realize that his mistake may cost him. “I will try to catch some more.” He automatically offered, perking up slightly, trying to give himself as another innocent cat. At the moment though, he wanted nothing more than to yell at Bramblefire for startling him. To even follow him in the first place, his mentor had not told him this was an assessment. If he had, he would’ve focused better and would’ve destroyed that perfect piece of prey.

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Words: 200
Character: Adderpaw
Completed

OoC: Short post. D: Would've gotten repetitive if I went on.

[berrycloud]

Snowstar felt eyes fall onto him. He looked up and saw Adderpaw and his mentor Bramblefire.
"Uhh? Oh Hello Adderpaw, Bramblefire. Sorry I didn't see you there."He meowed in his strong voice. His amber eyes fall onto Adderpaw. "How have you been doing Adderpaw?" He asked looking into Adderpaws eyes.
Character(s): Snowstar