To guard in the Night[open]

[shiningheart]

Flarespark hated the cold. He hated it deeply, as deeply as one could hate the weather. And it was always worse at night. He could be curled up in his nest at the moment, nice and warm and separated from the world of reality. He could be dreaming nice warm dreams of greenleaf hunts, of swimming in the river, of fighting ThunderClan and chasing their flea-bitten pelts right out of the forest.

But no. Instead, Flarespark was set as the night guard. Why did they even need to guard the camp at night? The other Clans wouldn't attack in the middle of leaf-bare. They were smart enough to know they needed to save their energy for hunting. So why was he sitting in the middle of the clearing, batting away lazily at the snowflakes as they fell? 'Ripplestream had something to do with this, mark my words.' he thought viciously.

[ρυяє]

The tom padded silently around camp. Everything was quiet except for the soft and gentle mews of the kits and queens in the nursery. It was relaxing. Snow feel lazily from the sky and came to rest on the leader's pelt, his thick fur catching the tiniest of the snowflakes.

It was a good night.

However, a leader's duty didn't end even when night had set in. Amber eyes scanned the surroundings again, and eventually came to rest on one of the cats he had set on night patrol. Yes, it might as well be a very calm night, but he certainly didn't know what the other clans were thinking of. It was better to be safe than sorry.

Padding up to the cat, Brackenstar noticed that it was Flarespark, a rather young warrior. Even from a distance, the leader could tell that their feelings about the weather were not the same. "Mind if I join you?" The Maine-coon said in his usual quiet tone of voice. Sitting down beside the other tom, he wrapped his bushy tail around his paws. "A rather catching night, isn't it?"

[shiningheart]

The voice didn't immediately register in his mind. He was about to tell the other cat to buzz off before they sat next to him anyway. 'Wow, didn't even wait for me to answer. Way to go, genius.' he thought before sitting up. When he saw Brackenstar, though, the fur along his spine stiffened in alarm. 'Uh oh. He didn't see me slacking off, did he?' It really wouldn't help his position of not having any Clan blood if the leader caught him not taking guard duty seriously.

When Brackenstar asked his question, Flarespark found himself scoffing. "Che, it's not the night we're supposed to be catching, it's prey. Snowflakes doesn't fill bellies, now does it, genius?" Then he froze and widened his eyes. "Erm... I mean, uh..." He tried to think of something else to say, but nothing came to mind. "Fox-dung..."

[ρυяє]

Amber eyes looked calmly at the flustered warrior. It had been good he had realized his mistake beforehand, therefore the leader ignored his offending words. Brackenstar sat calmly still, bushy tail brushing against the accumulating snow on the ground. "Flarespark.." He mewed quietly. "There was enough prey caught today to feed the clan. For now, everything is well." Now turning his head to look at the edgy tom, the leader pointed out. "You seem rather annoyed. If you don't feel fit to fulfill your duties you may retire, Flarespark. I'll fill your post."


occ; sorry for cheesy post, I'm a bit tired.

[shiningheart]

Flarespark struggled internally. He really wanted to go sleep. Like, really wanted to. On the other, the Clan needed their leader to be healthy with this mysterious sickness going around. Who really cared if he, Flarespark, became ill? So instead of nodding, Flarespark shook his head. "You're our leader. You do enough for the Clan just by existing. I'll keep up the watch. I just wish StarClan would at the very least send one warm night." He shivered and fluffed his thin fur up for emphasis.

[loneh]

Melodykit strayed from the warm, cozy nursery. Her mother and two siblings seemed to be asleep, and she felt a little restless just laying there, so with kit-like curiosity, she decided she would check the camp out.

As soon as she set a paw outside the nursery, the cold of the night seeped into her, as if she were submerged in cold water, except, of course, that she was dry. It made her shiver. Her raven pelt fluffed up and made her seem like a walking black furball. Perhaps it wasn't that cold, but to a particularly small kit, with less body mass than any warrior, it certainly seemed freezing.

She spotted her older brother's bright coat, and eagerly she ran up to him. Then, noticing the cat besides him, the leader, she slowed down to a dignified trot.

"Hello brother. Hello leader!" Melodykit mewed, dipping her head as she had seen apprentices and warriors do, though she did so a bit exaggeratedly.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

The leader looked at the warrior quizzically, amber eyes scanning his face. He did, indeed, look tired. Looking up at the sky, Brackenstar watched the snow flakes fall, some catching on his whiskers. "A warm night would be indeed be very much appreciated," the tom said quietly. Then, turning to look at the flaming warrior, he added, "Then again, warm nights aren't as beautiful as this one."

Hearing another voice, Brackenstar turned to look over his shoulder, his ears perked. "Good night, young one," the leader kindly greeted the small ball of black fur that dipped her head so exaggeratedly. Smiling to himself, amber eyes soft, he said. "Shouldn't you be in the nursery, asleep, with the other kits?"

[shiningheart]

Flarespark didn't answer his leader's comment on the stars. He followed Brackenstar's gaze upward, looking for the brightest speck in the sky. However much he wanted to believe it, Flarespark wasn't sure the stars were the spirits of Clan cats gone past. He had always thought himself a realist (or, as Ripplestream would say, a pessimist). He didn't think the dead watched over the living. He didn't enjoy the idea that a thousand invisible eyes were watching his every move.

He almost jumped at Melodykit's voice, but instead looked down at his only sister with wide eyes. "How'd you get away?" He quietly demanded. "Whenever I tried to sneak away from Violetheart, she woke up instantly!"

[loneh]

"Good night Brackenstar!" Came the eager reply. Yet, at the leader's question, bluish violet orbs looked innocently back at him.

Shifting her dark front paws as she responded in a childish voice, "but I'm not sleepy and I was bored in there!"

Her older brother's meow reminded her that he was there, and the small she-kit walked to his side and pressed her raven pelt against his as if seeking his warmth and protection, their two pelts a strong contrast. By doing so, she was indirectly searching for Flarespark's support. Although the leader's meow was gentle, Melodykit felt a bit defensive.

Perhaps she felt intimidated by Brackenstar. Maybe because she was just a kit, because she had been instilled deep respect--for the leader, or maybe it only was because she did not want to go back to the nursery; even both. She interpreted respect as doing as the leader said, and-- had he hinted that she should go back to the nursery?

Uneasy feelings did not last. When Flarespark spoke, her purplish orbs became round and happy, even though his voice was quiet and demanding. She was used to that, at least coming from his 'grumpy older brother' -- how she sometimes referred to him.

"I just walked away." She meowed smiling at her brother. "Perhaps mom was too tired?" She added with a slight frown, as if trying to recall anything that might have tired off the queen.

Melodykit responded to her kin's question with simplicity, like any kit would. She did not think of it as if she perhaps, just like her father, were naturally build for stealth. That their midnight coat and light step were a complement and camouflage in the night. That the scent of milk and kit on her made no difference when mother slept, and that not being the only kit in the litter, it wasn't only her warmth that Violetheart felt against her flank, but Galekit's and Spiderkit's too.

Those thoughts did not occur to her. For Melodykit it was just natural.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

The leader acknowledged the kit's greeting with a small nod and an accompanying smile. "You might as well be very bored, young one," He said quietly. "But if your mother wakes and sees that you are gone she will be distressed." Brackenstar, of course, was cut short by Melodykit's answer to her brother's demands. Sitting there silently, he watched in amazement as the kit comically answered Flamespark. Stifling a chuckle with his tail, the tom assumed a quite calm face as he listened to her, looking out of the corner of his amber eyes at the warrior, waiting for his reaction. This had turned out to be a most interesting night.

ooc; *bows head repeatedly* sorry for such a crappy post! > < My muse is running short on me.

[shiningheart]

Flarespark tensed at his sister's touch, but didn't move away or tell her to leave. He shrugged at Brackenstar's worry. "The worst that will happen if Violetheart wakes up is she'll come out here, see her with me, and send me to my nest. Let the kit stay up until she's tired or cold, then send her back. Nothing bad will happen while we're here."

He looked back up at the stars, watching as one of them seemed to twinkle. Absentmindedly, he meowed, "Sometimes I wish I were a medicine cat, just so I could listen to the stars and actually understand them." Another wind brushed by, and Flarespark pricked his ears like he were trying to catch a voice. "Do StarClan speak to you through your dreams, Brackenstar, or only when you visit the Moonpool?"

[loneh]

The small she-kit's black ears angled back in annoyance. Her brother talked about her as if she were not there or could not understand him, and she did not like it. Being the only she-kit in Violetheart's both litters, Melodykit was used to excessive attention from her kin-- yes, she is a spoiled young she-kit-- and she had to interrupt, and claim back what she thought was rightfully hers, attention.

"I'm still here!" The little black mottle of fur squeaked, her thin, contrasting whiskers twitching. Then huddling even closer to Flarespark she protested, "And I'm cold, but I don't want to go back!"

She was a shivering furball of black fur against the white snow, but she stubbornly kept by her brother's side, probably because she wanted to be the center of attention, and she was bored and cold.

However, when her brother spoke about being a medicine cat, her violet blue eyes softened, following his gaze toward silverpelt. He looked so wistful. Melodykit had never seen her brother like that. When he asked the leader, she blinked and listened silently, wondering about the answer herself.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

Brackenstar looked calmly at the warrior. "Now, Flarespark, you should know that I can't answer you that." He said, turning to look at him. "And Medicine Cats not only speak to Starclan, you know. They have to do their bidding, and sometimes, they can misinterpret their dreams. It's been known to happen before." Amber eyes switched to look at Melodykit, and they creased a bit as he smiled slightly. "Come, little one," He beckoned, unwrapping his tail from around his paws. "My tail is bushy enough for the both of us. We don't want you getting sick."


ooc; sorry for the wait! > <

[shiningheart]

Flarespark snorted, flicking his tail from side to side in irritation. "Mouse-dung, it's only the leader ceremony you can't speak of. Anything else involving StarClan, you're free to discuss." He narrowed his eyes then, and his next words were spoken with the bitterness of the middle of leaf-bare. "Or am I not worthy of the secrets of our warrior ancestors because I don't have any Clan blood?"

[loneh]

Melodykit's ears perked happily as she heard the leader. She rose from Flarespark's side and padded eagerly towards Brackenstar as she was offered warmth. "Thanks!" She mewled, her round violet eyes looking up to the leader's serene face. He looked so big, and the kit so insignificant. She curled between the leader's front paws, still shaking a little but feeling the warmth gradually spread. She yawned contented.

She felt drowsy, her eyes closed, however she was brought to the moment as the warrior's harsh words woke her. She flattened her small black ears and meowed loudly, "Brother! You shouldn't talk like that to our leader."

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

The leader's calm smile dropped off his face, leaving no trace behind. However, the relaxed lines were still there. "I would appreciate if you refrained from using such language in the presence of minors." He said quietly, covering Melodykit with his tail as she curled up between his front paws. "And I think I know very well what I should or shouldn't tell you warriors about. Visits to me by Starclan must sometimes be kept secret." Brackenstar said, the look in his amber eyes now slightly sharpened. "The fact that you have no clan blood has nothing to do with it. I don't speak about matters with Starclan with warriors unless it is necessary, Flarespark."

[shiningheart]

Flarespark scowled, his tail twitching in agitation. He didn't believe that for one fox-dung moment! He couldn't say so outloud though, lest he get punished for back-talking his leader. Not to mention that, if he upset Melodykit, she'd probably go running off to Jaystorm. StarClan knows what their father would do to him if he upset the only daughter.

[loneh]

The black she-kit's ears twitched slightly and she stared expectantly at Flarespark. She had thought he would reply with one of his bitter comments, she knew him for that, he was her brother after all. When none came she relaxed, moving a little to a more comfortable position, resting her chin on top of the leader's tail. Melodykit couldn't help but grin, Brackenstar had offered her his tail to rest! She would so tell the other kits. The small kit thought proudly.

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

He watched the warrior scowl, and was, indeed, expecting Flarespark to talk back at him. Nothing came, though, and so he shifted his gaze toward the other cat that accompanied them, not sure as to whether send the warrior to his nest. The she-kit looked comfortable enough, and no longer cold. Brackenstar smiled slightly as she saw the grin plastered onto her small black muzzle, what could she be thinking, he wondered.

"Feeling better, Melodykit?" He asked quietly, amber eyes looking down tranquilly at her.

[shiningheart]

Flarespark turned a deaf ear to the two by his side. He didn't care if Brackenstar and Melodykit got all cozy. They could go stomping around the camp growling like badgers for all he cared. If they wanted to pretend that having Clan blood or not didn't mean anything, he would just let them. Still, the big brother instincts kicked in, and he subtly tilting one ear in the direction of his only sister for her answer.

Sorry this took so long

[loneh]

The she-kit's grin was all to evident by now, and she made a quick, and awkward attempt to hide it. Her raven muzzle pointing up, and her two round violet orbs watched her leader's face from where she rested beneath him. She thought he looked so big and imposing, and she almost wished to Starclan that she could be like him when she grew up-- a wish that obviously was not meant to be, as her small and delicate frame and tiny paws betrayed that she would not grow up much.

"Yes, Brackenstar. Thank you." Was Melodykit's polite response, although her voice quivered a little with kit-like excitement. From the corner of her eye she noticed her brother's ear, and she almost purred at his brotherly concern, but kept quiet guessing he would rather not show that he actually cared.

[ooc- I'm sorry for the delayed post x__x I've been kind of busy lately.]

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

The leader let out a quiet purr of amusement. The she-kit was quite entertaining. Brackenstar's ears flicked to Flarespark's direction, his eyes following. The same couldn't be said for the warrior though.

Brackenstar had been keeping an eye on him and his sister since they had joined RiverClan. His sister had seemed to adapt well enough to clan life, but Flarespark still seemed edgy and untrusting. As far as he knew, the Clan had been accepting enough. Well, as accepting as a Clan could be to a couple of outsiders. Then again, no fights had occurred and the siblings were capable warriors.

Their trust was another matter.

The leader looked up at the sky, his ancestors shinning down at him and brightening his amber eyes. Without looking at the warrior, he said, "Do you believe in StarClan, Flarespark?"

[shiningheart]

Flarespark wanted to say yes. More than anything, he wanted to believe in StarClan. He wanted to believe that, when he and his family died, they'd be able to run through the stars and watch over their Clanmates. He wanted to believe that, when he died, he wouldn't have lived for nothing. When he spoke, it was in the softest voice any cat had ever heard from the normally gruff tom. "I want to say I do, more than you can possibly imagine. But the ideas of dead cats watching my every move, reading my every thought, one thousand eyes watching, waiting, some possibly expecting, for me to mess up..." He shivered, but not from the cold. "It scares me."

He bowed his head and sighed. Just above a whisper, he said, "I guess... Maybe... I was hoping your dreams would be something of evidence for me. Reassurance, if you could use the word, that we aren't alone, that those who have gone are still with us in a way." Flarespark shook his head and kept his amber eyes on the ground, not daring to look at Brackenstar in the face after his confession. "Now do you see why I don't think I belong?"

[ρυяє]

[Brackenstar]

The many lights shining down from the sky illuminated the dark amber pools that were the leader's eyes. He still didn't look at the warrior, but slowly closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath of the cool night air.

It hadn't been the first time he had heard some cat voice his insecurities about StarClan. It had always been the same, and he understood that it was hard, and sometimes unnerving, to think that your ancestors were judging you from some high stand, watching your every move.

He had thought about this many times, too. But Ripplestar, the previous RiverClan leader, had been the one who told him to stop thinking about such trivialities and focus on the task at hand. Believing in StarClan was something he would have to do on his own. No one could force him to believe.

Brackenstar opened his eyes again, this time turning his head to look directly at the warrior's side. "If I told you about my dreams," he said. "What difference would it make? For all you know, they could be simple dreams of past memories. Or some made up thing by my imagination." He wrapped and unwrapped his bushy tail behind him, his whiskers twitching with amusement at his own words. "Whether you believe in StarClan or not, it's your decision. Just make sure to have something to guide your life with. Something that will keep you in the right path." The leader looked up at the sky again, a smile forming on his muzzle. "That's what StarClan does for it's believers."