The Song of Many Stars {burningember/Brinestep}

[bläck¢läw]

Wanderingpaw sat a little higher at the elders words. He had grown a lot since the elder had last seen him. He was after all the biggest apprentices Thunderclan had. He smiled happy to see Brinestep looking so healthy. "Once I get a mentor and learn how to hunt I will start bring you fresh kill everyday." Wanderingpaw meowed hoping if he did so she would tell him stories like she use to again. He remembered snuggling close to the elders warm fur as she use to tell of the great battles. Of course Thunderclan would always beat those prey stealing cat's that live in Shadowclan. He shook his head clear of the images that where starting to make him feel sleepy.

He looked down at his paws, I hope I become a warrior soon he thought to himself. It always felt very awkward being the biggest apprentice's. Even though he was only 6 moon's old, he already toward over the rest of the cat's his age. If anyone from the other clans saw him they would think he was already a warrior. He looked back up to the elder in front of him. For now he would just have to settle being an apprentice. After all it would be some time before he would be a warrior. How could he be expected to become a warrior when it had only been his first day as a apprentice.

[kitteh]

Brinestep stood up and licked the cats ear gently fixing it. She was always a mother to this little kitten, he would always be her son, no matter who's blood he carried. "Your a sweet boy Wanderingpaw" she cleaned her own pelt once more, overly compulsive about her pelt being clean. She watched the cat and then nudged him gently. "would you like to take your elder for a walk. I'd really love to sun myself." She looked at Burningember, "You too sweety." She stretched for a moment and started to walk to the entrance of the clan.

The memories flooded back, of days when she protected that opening, protected the clan. The days she would run through that opening and go hunting for her own parents when they were elders. A stap of regret struck through her body as she realized that she would never have her son, or her daughter do that for her. It was shocking- but she had wandering paw, and burningember. Right? "You coming?"

[løиetëaя]

She gave Wanderingpaw an affectionate lick on the ear before turning her attention back to Brinestep. It would be much easier to concentrate now that she knew exactly where her younger half-brother was.

She half listened as Wanderingpaw and Brinestep spoke, she was just happy to see that he was paying attention to his elders unlike some of the other apprentices. And the fact that Brinestep seemed a little happier then she had earlier made her feel warm. It was nice to be able to help her clan mate, even if it was in just a small way.

She heard the elder suggest they go for a walk. It would be good for her to get out of camp and enjoy life a little bit. "That sounds like a good idea Brinestep. Then Wanderingpaw can show you what he's been practicing. Right Wanderingpaw?"

[bläck¢läw]

Wanderingpaw jumped up with excitement. He loved showing others what new things he had been learning. "Yeah I'll show you guys," the apprentice rushed over to a clearing. He waited for the others to come over to watch him. I think I will show them some of my hunting stalks I have learned. Even though he had was not so good at them. He went through his mind trying to remember all of the stalks he had learned. I know how to stalk a mouse and a bird. I think I should show them my mouse stalk. I'm better at that one anyway. He crouched down on his paws, I have to step very lightly. He reminded himself, going over his lessons in his mind.

Wanderingpaw took a light step, then another as he pretended to stalk a mouse. He sat up and looked at the others. "Did I do it right?" He asked, his black fur glowing in the sunlight. He ran over to Burningember, he hoped she would tell him he had done the stalk perfectly.

[løиetëaя]

Burningember gave a small purr at his enthusiasm, watching as he darted ahead of them. She was content to walk beside Brinestep at the elder's pace, not wanting to push the old cat too much.

Her amber eyes carefully observed her brother's movements. She caught each twitch of his muscles, the strength in his legs as he carefully placed each paw down silently. One day he would be a magnificent hunter and a strong warrior. But for now he was just her silly little half-brother. A smile shined on her face as he ran back to her.

She listened patiently to his words before slowly nodding her head. "It was pretty good, your steps were almost silent and you kept your belly off the ground. Next time, remember to think about your tail." She hoped he wouldn't be too upset with her critique but she shouldn't get him thinking that he was doing something perfect when there was still room for improvement. But so far, for his age, he was doing very well and she was proud of that.

[bläck¢läw]

Wanderingpaw smiled at his sisters words. "Thanks," he meowed as he stalked a dry red leaf that was on the ground. His eyes locking on to his target. He pounced on the leaf killing it in one quick blow. He picked the leaf up in his mouth as if it was a peace of fresh kill. The red leaf was no match for him, he thought. He walked happily back over to his sister and the elder and sat down. It was as if he had never played with the leaf in the first place. Then he got an idea, "hey Burningember. Do you think you could take me out hunting? I'm sure Brinestep wouldn't mind coming with us." He begged his half-sister. How cool would it be if he could actually go hunting.

I have always wanted to go hunting with Burningember. I bet she is the best hunter in all of the forest. He could just picture Burningember and him hunting side by side in the forest. They wouldn't let a single mouse escape. They would bring so much fresh kill back to the clan that ever one would be full fed for moons. He looked at Burningember with pleading eyes. She just has to take me hunting.

[løиetëaя]

She looked at Wanderingpaw with sad eyes. It would be fun to go hunting with him, but they couldn't leave Brinestep all alone and she wouldn't be quick enough to keep up with them. "I would love to Wanderingpaw but...."

She paced away a few steps, before turning back and walking toward them. After repeating this a few times she looked at Brinestep. "Its up to you really." Watching Brinestep, she wondered what the old she-cat would say.

[kitteh]

The sunlight was starting to fade, but the light in the sky changed colors like the leaves in the season leaf-fall. The reds and oranges blended together like the colors of a pretty cat's pelt. Gently moving from color to color and then fold into dar purples and browns near the tree line. The colors were absolutly beautiful and matched the colors in the old she-cats pelt. Like a mirror image she looked up to the sky, talking to starclan, Oh mother her tail twitched from side to side on her body. I miss you. Are you watching over father? he always was a sly devil. Brinesteps eyes closed and she took a deep breath. Watch over us mom

Her eyes opened as talk of the hunt began. She opened her eyes and watched the midnight cat stalk an invisable mouse. His technique wasn't bad for a cat his age, but burningember was right, his tail was wrong. Once the little one got that he would be fine. "Like this" She murmured, falling into a crouch that she hadn't done in a long time. Muscles that Brinestep hasn't used in moons pulled and tugged and she slyly walked aross the camp in her own style of crouch. He crouch was perfect, despite her age.

Brinestep sat and licked at her maw, Just the thought of hunting maded her tongue water. "I would love to go."

[løиetëaя]

Burningember nuzzled her brother affectionately before giving him a gentle shove towards the camp entrance. "Well hurry up, if you move this slow all the prey will have bedded down for the night by the time you get out there." Her voice was teasing and playful as she urged Wanderingpaw forward.

Falling back she walked beside the elder. "How long has it been since you last hunted?" She was curious about the elder. Brinestep had been a warrior before she was born and while she was a kit. By the time she was old enough to become an apprentice the she-cat was in the elder's den. She felt bad for her, not being able to catch her own food or fight for her clan any longer. And most apprentices had no respect for any of the elders. It made Burningember wondered if she ever got lonely at times.

[kitteh]

"It's been many moons since i've hunted. Six long moons. I can feel the ache in my pelt from the moons that i've just sat around the camp- Unable to do anything." She padded along the warrior and let her tail swing from side to side. It was obvious that the cat was older, the slight gray around her muzzle had already proven that- but if it wasn't for her leg- the one attacked by shadowclan, Brinestep would still be out contributing to the clan. I mean- she was the oldest elder in the camp- and the only one that really had the energy to walk around anymore. "If Halowstar wouldn't have put me in the den- i'd still be sleeping alongside you." She purred slightly and let the feel of the soft dirt against her pads.

"I miss it though. The feel and the energy that come from the kill- but im useless around camp by just sitting and eating." She looked to the warrior and smiled, "I just wish i could do more- but by law i can't" She took a deep breath and looked over to the apprentice, "Wandering paw, come on now- your slower than an elder." She smiled slyly and twiched her tail.

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