Shadowclan Meeting (All must attend).

[flarestorm]

Wind howled, rain poured, the Shadowclans were sleeping with their dens. Duskstar arose from his groggy sleeping state, eager to get this meeting underway. He climbed out of his den, everything was silent, nothing stirred, not even a mouse. The darkness was all consuming as the clearing was deep inside it's grip. The cold wind was terrible, but Shadowclan were used to it. Elders from other clans called it the wind that chilled the hearts of all Shadowclan cats. Sometimes, Duskstar believed them to be right.

Looking around the camp, he noticed the fresh-kill pile, lower than usual, `It truely is Leafbare' He thought to himself, `I have a feeling it will be a bad one.` Duskstar shivered. He had been leader of this clan for a while now, and was proud to do so, but great times of joy for this clan always seemed to come with sorrow. This was the way it was, the way it had always been.

Strolling steadily, Duskstar looked up at the shade rock, a significant part of the clan. This was where they would meet, and it was time for them to do so. Gathering himself, he bounded up onto the Shade Rock. Here, Duskstar called the familiar words that every cat knew,
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather here beneath the Shade Rock for a clan meeting."
It was time to let the cats know....

[{darkles}]

Warm sunshine bathed the small clearing, lighting up everything from the bramble covered entrance to the far corner of the dirtplace. Cats lay around the camp in small groups of two or three, sharing tongues and prey alike. Apprentices scuffled in the corner, practicing the new battle moves they'd been taught that morning and teasing each other on techniques and skill. In the shade beside the medicine caves sat a lean ginger tom. His tail flicked the dusty floor every couple of heartbeats, warding off the unwanted flies that had appeared with the hot weather. He smiled as he watched the activity in the camp. This was how a Clan should be - happy, peaceful, full fed and strong. A rustle sounded behind him in the brambles, the scent of one very unfortunate and yet very stupid mouse flooded Russetstripe's nose. Fancy straying into the very heart of the camp! Most mice had at least a little bit more sense than that. Without pausing to gawp at the little creatures naivety the tom turned, slowly rising to his paws and seeking the brown fur colour amongst the dappled ivy leaves that covered the outer camp walls. His gooseberry green eyes caught a flicker of movement and he pounced, rather recklessly, in the given direction.

Being a medicine cat, Russetstripe's skill wasn't honed specifically for hunting, but even a kit could do better than his latest catch. A stale ball of moss was clasped between the claws of his right forepaw, his left was propping him upright, having somehow managed to launch himself halfway out of his nest and across the floor of the stone den. With a purr of amusement and a roll of his eyes he flicked the moss from his claws and sat up. Stupid furball, what a dumb dream he mused silently, beginning to groom the scraps of bedding from his sleek pelt. Dumb it may have been, but it had certainly been enticing. Now that leafbare was taking hold prey was becoming scarcer by the day, and ShadowClan could really have done with an extra mouse or two. As if on cue, the ginger cats belly gave a huge grumble, so loud that he cringed with embarassment, even though there was no cat there to see.

The Clans beloved medicine cat was one who always enjoyed his food, no matter how small the meal. Despite this, he was still lean and fit, and owed this to the fact that he spent most days roaming the shadowed forests in search of new places to find herbs. Today however, he decided he would search for his lost piece of freshkill. Stretching his jaws in an enormous yawn that showed all of his pointed teeth, he removed himself from his nest completely and, bidding goodbye to his den, trotted out into the clearing to survey the morning. He was met with a very bleak grey picture that seemed a million moons away from the land of his dreams. It appeared to be just past dawn, though the low clouds were doing a fantastic job of hiding what little sunshine there should have been. Russetstripe raised his nose to the wind, rain plastered his ginger fur to his skin and he shook fervently, shedding some of the looser droplets in a flurry of moisture that only a RiverClan cat could ever enjoy. 'Ah' stated the medicine cat. The prey would all be hiding in their burrows, and any foolish enough to venture out would most likely be too difficult to scent.

Changing his mind instantly he noticed the dark bulk of Duskstar standing proud on the Shade Rock. Russetstripe recoiled in guilt, he must have missed his leaders summons while he'd been sleeping. He flicked his tail in apology and pushed on through the driving rain to reach the gathering place of the Clan. Beneath Shade Rock was a fast forming puddle, the water was streaming off of the rock and being channeled into the pool by the grasses on either side. The slight feline figure dipped his head respectfully to Duskstar and sat to one side of the puddle, edging away every time he felt the water seeping into his tail fur.

'Good morning Duskstar, sleep well?' he enquired of his leader. For some reason the dark tabby in front of him was looking a little sombre. Russetstripe hoped that no bad news had befallen the Clan. They couldn't deal with more hardships than the normal leafbare brings, and even this leafbare was promising to be worse than the previous moons. He tipped his head to one side and carefully scrutinised the tabby. 'If there is something troubling you Duskstar, I can always lend an ear. I'm not just here to heal my Clanmates y'know.'

[cloverleaf]

The heavily-furred she-cat known as Eclipsesong prowled out of the Nursery on quiet paws, her two kits following close behind her. Her watchful eyes observed all the camp in a matter of two heartbeats. So far, only Duskstar and Russetstripe were out. She vaguely wondered at why the ShadowClan leader would drag them out of their dens into the freezing day, but in a way, she was glad of it. She detested being holed up in a den all day. She missed her days as a warrior, and was anticipating for those days to return. She loved her kits, but the ways of a Queen were not for her.

Emberkit padded after her mother, dragging her tail in the snow. She growled lowly at the cold. She had been born in Leaf-Fall, and she was yet to see her first New-Leaf and Green-Leaf. But by the sounds of it, it was a lot better than the stinging cold the clans had to bear through. She had been nestled against herself in a nap when her mother woke her up. She was now old enough to attend the clan meetings, but not old enough to become an apprentice, although it was close. She sat daintily besides her mother, grateful for her fluffy pelt for once.

The silver tabby's eyes were drooping, sleep so close... But then Duskstar called the meeting. He hissed at himself, annoyed that he could not get the rest he wanted. He'd been working his behind off all day hunting. He yawned widely, showing his porcelain fangs in the dark of the den. Then he wearily stood and shook himself, hoping to shake the drowsiness along with it. But it remained. Viperfang padded out of the Warrior's Den on heavy paws, his ears dropping. But he managed to make his way over to Shade Rock and sit down, struggling to keep his head up and eyes open.

[OOC: Sorry it's short; I didn't have much time.]

[Sunmist/Tessa]

The kit stretched in the fluffy white stuff, shivering as she had no warmth of kin with her that day. Of course she was not quite old enough to catch her own prey, but she attended anyway, if only from the mouth of the nursery. The thick coated kitten began grooming herself as the cats assembled; a habit she had forced upon herself ever since her mother had went to hunt with Starclan. The once ragged kit had gained a bit of weight, and was now as skinny as everyone else in Shadowclan, not skinnier. Her fur sparkled with sheen and her mats were almost completely worked out (as she had been working on them and getting help from some of the residing queens). Her eyes, however, were the biggest change in the once brokenhearted kit. They were sharp and alive with light, not dull, not dark and dreary and brooding. They were thoughtful, and alert.

Doomkit saw Emberkit and Eclipsesong pad out of the nursery and hesitantly followed, decidedly taking a seat next to the medicine cat Russetstripe, but the kits shy nature showed as she refused to meet his eyes, and Duskstar's for that matter. She was just still too shy. The she-kit couldn't help but stealing a glance or two at the leader and the warriors that she was surrounded by. Skinny as they were, she thought they still looked strong. She felt a little bit of pride well up in the pit of her stomach, and it warmed its way to the core of her heart. She sat just the tiniest bit taller, and her chest puffed out a half of a millimeter. But it was still noticeable in the kit who often lived up to her namesake.

I wonder what Duskstar wants, anyway? she asked herself, stealing a glance back at Emberkit. Doomkits heart sunk. What if Emberkit didn't like her anymore? What if it was that one day? Doomkit turned back to the general direction of Duskstar, though not looking at him, and decided to leave it be. Doomkit herself was still a little shy about the acquaintanceship.

[Ebonstar]

Skysong shook awake at the sudden feel of cold air blasting into the den. Lifting her head, she glared at the opening, through which another warrior had gone through, that was letting the cool air in. Then, with a start, she realised that something must have happened to get any cat up and outside in this weather. Jumping up, she gave herself a quick lick-down, though it wouldn't do much good considering the weather, and pushed her way outside. Duskstar was on Shade Rock with an almost expectant look on his face, and she realised he must have called a meeting. With a flushed face, she quickly padded over and took a seat near Viperfang, noting that he must have been the absent warrior, as he was the only one apart from Eclipsesong that was out here.

Scampering after her mother and sister, Lightkit, the loudest one in the Nursery, took her first steps that day in the snow. Her pads were not ready for it, and she slipped, falling face first into a drift. The air came whooshing out of her, and a high keening noise came from her. Pushing herself upwards with a shove, she flew backwards and stood, shaking, next to Eclipsesong, who was by that time seated infront of Shade Rock. This was her and Emberkit's first proper meeting, and yet all her excitement was now gone, replaced by the fear that it may get colder, and the Clans may not be able to hunt. 'Mama, It's colder than before. Why is it so cold?' she said in a small voice.

[Nightstalker]

Wildfang lifted her head. The faint call of her leader reached her ears. She had been hunting, or had been trying to. The rain made it almost impossible but Wildfang was supreemly proud of her catch. The winter was hard and the prey was scarse, but it was no match for Wildfangs loyalty and determination. She would feed her clan, if it killed her. She had been up from sunhigh the previous day and was just returning to camp when she had heard Duskstars call. Draging her large catch into camp she proudly placed a crow-more feathers then meat, two small half starved mice, a squirril, old and stringy and one surprisingly plump rabbit that she had caught almost by accident as it fled accross the borderline. Wildfang purred at her catch, her clan wouldn't go hungry today! Suddenly she felt exhausted. The cold bit deep in her bones as she limped over to Shade Rock, she had hurt her paw while chasing the squirall. Wildfang sat down and stared up at her leader, waiting for the meeting to begin.

[{darkles}]

More and more feline shapes began to emrge into the cold wind and rain, even the youngest members of the Clan were braving the storm. The ginger tomcat flashed a friendly smile at his new found friend, the small kit whom had chosen a seat beside him. His smile was not returned but it would take more than that to dishearten the medicine cat. Duskstar had remained silent and now that the Clan had gathered Russetstripe thought it less than likely that the leader would choose to discuss anything private with him. He dipped his head in greeting to the warriors who stumbled tiredly from their nests, silently praising their commitment to their Clan.

'You're quiet today Doomkit' he purred, returning his attention to the little cat who was gazing quizzically around at her clanmates. A short time ago she might still have been tucked away in the nursery, but the medicine cat had noticed her spirits lifting increasingly over the past moon or more and he had suspicions that it was something to do with Emberkit. He had seen the pair chatting on more than one occasion.

He waited for a reply whilst watching even more of the warriors return from outings outside of the camps walls. Wildfang had brought home a spectacular catch! All the same, the tom still wanted to contribute to the freshkill pile today, considering he didn't have any herb gathering to do - he may as well make himself useful. Russetstripe acknowledged the she-cats limp with the merest flick of an ear in her direction, signalling her to stay behind at the end of the meeting so he could treat whatever it was that was ailing her.

---------------------------

A large yawn parted the jaws of a skinny black apprentice. The tom raised his head from the stale moss that made up his meagre nest and began to vigorously wash his pelt, using his pink tongue to flatten out the bits that had been misplaced. Weaselpaw was one of only two warrior apprentices, the third apprentice was Stormpaw but he slept in Russetstripes den, being the next in line to be medicine cat. It was decidedly tough having so few young cats to do all the duties around camp, particularly when they also needed to time for battle training and hunting practice. Weaselpaw sniffed angrily. He should be getting time for battle training and hunting practice but seeing as the young tom had no older cat to mentor him it wasn't often that he was allowed out of the camp. He felt like a little kit, not trusted to go out on his own, no cat wanting to take him for fear of him getting lost. Instead Weaselpaw cleaned out all of the bedding from the different dens, relying on Rainbowpaw to bring back fresh moss from outside the camp. He made sure that the elders and queens were always fed first, but he never really felt happy about offering them food that another cat had caught.

His long black limbs stretched out, arching his back until he quivered. Duskstar was calling from the Shade Rock. Weaselpaw clambered awkwardly out of his nest and trotted out from the den to greet the day. He wished he hadn't almost instantly. Cold rain spattered onto his freshly groomed coat, dripping down his face and into his eyes. He blinked. It wasn't going to be a good day - he could tell. Taking a seat at the back of the gathered cats to allow the senior warriors room to hear their leader he set about planning the days activities; checking the older cats for ticks, changing the bedding in the nursery, patching up the walls in the warriors den, feeding his clanmates with another cats freshkill.. His yellow eyes burned into Duskstar's pelt, pleading with the tabby tom to at least look at him. To understand his longing for a mentor, for training, for a life outside of the camp!

[hawktail]

Pale eyes that took on the color of green opened silently. The call had sounded. A rather dark tabby cat rose from the tightly curled position and stretched. Her tail quivered from the cold. What could it possibly be now? Glancing around, she realized that many cats were already out. With a heavy sigh, the dark figure pushed out of the den and into the cold air. With a gasp of shock, the tabby shrank back. "Brr..." Her mew was a shudder of cold. The bitter cold wind blew her fur in the wrong direction, getting through to her skin. Hawktail hissed in annoyance, but she prowled forward, as close to the ground as she could, to sit in the shadow of Shade Rock. The wind was slightly broken off track here...

Yellow orbs snapped open and a cat that seemed too small to be a Warrior shot up to his paws. Where was he? Oh yeah, ShadowClan. The ex-rogue didn't bother to stretch; that would show that he was comfortable. He wasn't. He never was. The yellow eyes looked instinctively around for danger, but saw nothing more than shadowed figures of soon to wake cats. That leader cat had called. Great... Shaking out his golden brown tabby pelt, the small tomcat padded out into the open air. He instantly hissed as loud as he could. It was cold! "Who's dumb enough to drag a cat out into this weather?" he growled under his breath. "This is madness..." But, nonetheless, Bleakheart slithered over to a spot that the wind wouldn't attack him so fiercely.

The cold had barely disturbed Creakingwood. He slowly rose to his paws, his hard gold eyes glaring at the remaining cats. They needed to get up soon. Padding out, the black and white cat shivered lightly as the wind flattened his fur down. He picked up his pace to a trot and took a seat in front of Shade Rock. He looked out at everyone, but said nothing...

Rainbowpaw was up in an instant. Her sleep completely gone from the looks of it, she bolted right out into the bitter wind. It caught her so off guard that she rocketed up into the air with a startled jump. Landing, yellow eyes dashed frantically about to see if anyone had caught the sight. They probably did, but that was another story. Spotting her mother, Rainbowpaw bounded over and sat beside her.

[cloverleaf]

The dark gray kit was fully aware of everyone that padded out of their dens and the one that entered camp, with a large amount of prey that brought saliva to her mouth. She hadn't had a filling meal since Leaf-bare. But it wasn't notice, as her fur fluffed out so much. She wondered when it would flatten down to normal, or if it ever would. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Doomkit glance at her. Emberkit snapped her head towards her, locking eyes. She didn't need to say anything; the greeting was gleaming in her eyes. But she flicked her gray ears as well, just to add to it. She was about to pad over to sit next to her tentative friend, but then she noticed that Russetstripe had begun to meow something to her. She didn't want to interrupt, so she simply turned back to the ShadowClan leader, matching his expectant expression on her own face.

The tortoiseshell she-cat watched her energetic daughter struggle through the snow, and she fought the urge to pick her up by the scruff. But she knew that she would embarrass her if she did so, so she only waved her tail in something like encouragement. But the question that Lightkit asked and seeing her shiver was enough for Eclipsesong to wrap her paw around the smaller tortoiseshell and bring her under the warmth of her belly, were her thick fur held warmth. She used her paw to hold her there as she answered is her naturally poisonous but deceivingly melodic voice, "It is just the way of the world. The seasons all come and go, and we must bear through them." Her green eyes softened, which was an extremely rare occasion, as she looked down at her shivering daughter. She licked the top of her head before looking back up at Duskstar.

[Leopardstar]

Blackhole slyly slid out of the warriors den where he had been peacefully slumbering. Sighing he walked out into the slight drizzle and sat lightly next to his mate who he mrrrowed a greeting at. "What can Duskstar possibly want at this time of morning?"

>orry its short.!!!!
Dont have much time!<

[Sunmist/Tessa]

The kit saw her friend look her way for a split moment and smiled warmly. She flicked her own ears toward her with a friendly kind of tail twitch, and met her friends eyes. She was.... happy. Happy to see another cat, for once. This kit was definitely changing, slowly, but changing. She wondered for a moment if her changing would affect their relationship. If Emberkit was only friends with her because she was depressing and broody. But then again it was Emberkits fault that she was becoming happier. The kit snapped back into the real world as the sound of another cat pricked her ears. It was Russetstripe. She lowered her head and ears slightly in a motion of respect far beyond her years in maturity, and smiled softly to the tom.

"Good day Russtetstipe," she answered quietly, looking him in the eyes now. Her dark fur stood painfully out in the whiteness of leaf-bare and she wondered often how she would ever be able to sneak up on anything in the snow. She was mostly black or dark brown. Much more suited to hunting in the full leafy forests or swamps. She shrugged off a cold breeze and shook her coat to fluff out the coldness. "I suppose I am just... tired. Sleeping is always hard with that wind, I find." she paused for a second, then leaned to the tom and whispered, out of earshot of every other cat "Can you keep a secret?" she asked, "Don't tell anycat but: the wind scares me a little. Always has..." she lowered her head slightly, hoping he wouldn't mock her or think she was unfit to be a warrior. Maybe she should have just kept quiet...

[{darkles}]

The ginger tom supressed a sigh. Wildfang hadn't responded to his previous guesture, meaning he would have to go and find her after the meeting. Why was it that so many cats were so unobservant these days? For some reason Russetstripe had been born with the ability to pick up on the smallest of things going on around him. His mother had called it nosiness, but he preferred to think of it as just a special skill. In all honesty it did come in quite handy, being the medicine cat and all. The pouring rain hadn't ceased, driving against his orange pelt with such ferocity it was a wonder he didn't have a million different holes through his body. All the while the Clan gathered he was getting wetter and wetter, colder and colder, but he didn't complain, patience was another essential skill needed for his role. Scanning the faces of his Clanmates he silently listed the names of those who hadn't turned up, Stormpaw was among them. His apprentice was most likely still snoozing in his den, unaware of anything happening in the outside world. As the tom turned to stare at the entrance to his cave-like den he caught sight of a movement beside him and remembered that he had previously spoken to Doomkit. He smiled as the little she-kit leaned towards him and divulged her secret.

'Yes, the cold weather is causing much upset in the Clans normal routine.. don't worry, your secret is safe with me' he purred, touching her ears with his whiskers in an affectionate guesture. 'Every cat fears something, even if they claim otherwise. It's whats natural for any creature.' His words spoke the truth. As a kit he had been scared of the dark but the fear lessened as he grew, now the darkness was nothing but normal to the older tom. However, he seemed to have developed a slight fear of fast flowing water, though he didn't really understand why. Perhaps because of the way his mother had met her end..

[Decimah]

She had no qualms about dashing out into the cold rain, pale cream fur soon plastered to her body, and stained a darker color, she would sit near the others, dishwater pale gaze focusing upon her leader, who was then perched atop Shade Rock. Ringtail shook herself, rather futilely because while she managed to rid it of some of the moisture, it was soon bogged down again. She was resigned to ignoreing it, though it wouldn't be long before her form was shaking. She hoped Russetstripe had gotten a lot of herbs because it could be possible that a lot of cats got sick after this meeting. She shook her head distractedly, and forced herself to focus her thoughts upon the meeting at hand.

[[Ew. Sorry it is so short, I havn't got much time ]]

[flarestorm]

(Sorry I haven't posted, being grounded sucks).

Duskstar stood proud on the Shade Rock, looking below at his Clan. He fixed his gaze on the cats this was for, then quickly turned his away. `Aha there's Creakingwood' He thought to himself, the Deputy seemed to be in his usual neutral state of mind. Muttering a quick apology to Russetstripe for ignoring his greeting, Duskstar stepped forwards, to address his clan.

"Shadowclan, we are here on this groggy morning, for two important reasons." Duskstar said, "Although I would firstly like to send a message to the kits. No kit is to leave this camp, Leafbare is only going to get worse from here, and I would like the kits to remain in camp at all times. Warriors and Apprentices, if you see a kit outside of the camp, please take them back. But now for the first duty I have today. Doomkit, step forwards.

[Sunmist/Tessa]

Doomkit smiled gratefully at the ginger tom and felt herself puff out a little bit. At least she wasn't crazy or weak or anything... Russestripe said so. She was perfectly normal, and it was apparently OK to be frightened a little bit sometimes. She shuffled her cold paws in the snow and watched as her breath made little steam monsters in the cold air. The mornings were always really cool. She hated mornings anyway, she liked sleeping. But with a good nights sleep under her metaphorical belt she would be able to hunt for almost the whole day and still have energy to fight. Or, at least, she thought she would. The kit's tail quivered in anticipation as Duskstar looked as if he were about to speak. She loved to listen to leaders talk. They always seemed to know what they were doing and what was right. She wondered, often, how they would know if what they were doing was what was right for the clan. How could they know? Did Starclan tell them? She didn't know.

Doomkit grumbled as he made a point of telling the kits not to go outside. But she dearly wanted to. In the worst way. She ignored the leader for a moment and cast a longing look outside the camp and into the lands beyond. She had never really left the camp before. The last time she did was when her mother was killed. She was there for that. Doomkit remembered with disgust of how the twoleg thing killed her. Or was it a dog, or an enemy clan cat? She didn't quite remember. What she knew was that the outside was dangerous. But she wasn't afraid. Soon she would have the skills to defend herself, even if her mother didn't.
"Doomkit,"
Doomkit pulled herself away from her reverie (almost reluctantly) as the clan leader called her name. She didn't quite know at first WHY she looked to him, but the subconscious part of her had heard her name. The conscious side of her mind caught up and she stood stiffly, and stepped forward as she was told. She took a second to cast a nervous, confused glance to Emberkit, hoping her friend could give her some sort of consolation, and turned back to Duskstar, feeling suddenly very, very small and alone.

[cloverleaf]

The interaction between her mother and her sister was almost amusing. Eclipsesong rarely, possibly only once besides this time, showed such caring love. It was always there, but she didn't express it to the whole world. But Emberkit had always gotten the message and knew her mother loved them. She looked away only when Duskstar began the meeting. His message about the kits staying in camp was nothing new. The dark gray kit knew she wouldn't disobey the rules. She didn't need trouble. So she found that particular announcement a waste of time. Duskstar should have directly told that to Lightkit. She would do something like that. She sighed in annoyance before her attention was caught again.

" But now for the first duty I have today. Doomkit, step forward," the leader announced. An apprentice already? Emberkit frowned to herself, realizing that she hadn't even known how old she was. But if she was becoming an apprentice now... then that meant she was six moons. Like her. She was a few sunsets away from reaching her sixth moon, along with her sister. but she shrugged it off. It wasn't like she was in a hurry.

Emberkit turned to look at Doomkit, and saw her glance at her, confusion etched on her dark face. The sinister she-kit opened her jaws in an attempt at a smile, her fangs gleaming dangerously, but the encouragement in her emerald eyes covering the non-intentional threat her fangs gave. You'll be fine, she seemed to say.

[{darkles}]

The strong yellow gaze had never wavered from Duskstar's pelt all the while the older tom was speaking. Black ears were tipped forwards, straining to catch the words through the wind and rain. It was truly a miserable day. Sat at the back of the group the black apprentice could quite easily have drifted off and not paid attention, as most would do at that age. Had Weaselpaw been feeling particularly mutinous he would have done just that, but today - today might be the day. He had been named as an apprentice just over a moon ago, but so far he had still to be given a mentor. You could see it in his eyes, the desperate longing to be a true apprentice of ShadowClan, to hunt and fight for his Clanmates instead of trailing after the elders and queens like he was the medicine cat.

'Please.. please..' he begged under his breath, his forepaws kneading the soggy earth. He watched with ever decreasing patience as Doomkit stood before the Shade Rock. She would have a mentor before him. The truth hit him like a falling branch and an ache opened in his chest, almost like the one he had felt as he watched his father leave through the brambles at the camp entrance. He would never see his father again, but he had built a new life in ShadowClan, a life his father would be proud of. Another cat may have become bitter at the leaders ignorance to his problem, but Weaselpaw was not that kind of cat. True, he may cause a little bit of mischief now and again, but he was a cat of good intentions, with a kind heart and a warm smile. He flicked his tail in encouragement to the small kit, she would be his denmate tonight.

[Ebonstar]

[sorry!]

Lightkit could understand her mothers explanation, but that didn't make it any easier to sit out in the cold. Steeling herself, she thought 'If the Warriors can do it, so can I, and I'm going to be the best Warrior there is!' She was thinking ahead just a little, but it was one of her goals in life, to be the best Warrior possible.
When Duskstar spoke about not leaving the camp, Lightkit was certain that it had been aimed at ... her. 'Mousedung! How did HE know what I was planning?!' she muttered to herself under her breath, not really caring who heard her now that it was obvious she wouldn't get away with anything now. Sneaking a look sideways, she glanced at Emberkit, wondering if her sister had had a part in them being confined to camp, then changed her mind. Her sister wouldn't do something like that, even if she thought what Lightkit was doing was wrong. She might tell Eclipsesong, but not someone like Duskstar.

Glancing up again, she realised that while she had been muttering away to herself, the meeting had gone on, and now Doomkit stood in front of Shade Rock, alone. Looking at the small kit, she wished she had said something encouraging to her. She looked as though she was going to bolt at any second.

[Nightstalker]

Wildfang yawned. Starclan she was tired. She had been hunting for ages! She wished the meeting would hurry up so she could get some sleep. Wildfang sneezed suddenly and shook her head. Where had that come from?

[flarestorm]

(Is that meant to make me hurry? I'm trying to find the ceremony words in the book.)

[flarestorm]

Gazing down upon the quivering, soon to be apprenticed kit, Duskstar stood proudly, his tail flicking from side to side. The kit would never forget this.

"This is a proud day for Shadowclan, by naming apprentices we show ( clan name ) will survive and remain strong. Doomkit, from now on until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Doompaw."

(When everyone's replied I shall announce the mentor).

[Nightstalker]

"Doompaw!" Wildfang called happily. Then sneezed. She shook her head in irritation and watched her leader, waiting to see whoi would be made mentor.

[hawktail]

An apprentice ceremony? Hawktail twitched her ears annoyingly. But, despite her mood, she lifted her chin and began to call. "Doompaw! Doompaw!" she yowled cheerfully, her cloudy breath grazing through the air in great puffs. She shut her eyes and allowed herself to be absorbed into the callings. It warmed her up some to feel all of the breaths of the others.

Bleakheart was startled as cats began to cry out the name of the new apprentice. Why would they do that? But, the small tom lifted his nose and called softly, "Doompaw! Doompaw!" over and over again along with the nearby dark tabby she-cat and her young. He felt the vibrations in his chest -a pleasing feeling- and allowed himself to get louder. A smile almost pulled at his mouth as he melted into the chant.

Creakingwood smiled pleasingly and called with the others. "Doompaw! Doompaw!" he yowled as loud as he could. This was one of his favorite moments in the Clan life. No matter how high the tension, the ShadowClanners could lift their muzzles and call with joy. It was like a symbol that they were going to survive and they had the confidence to do so. ShadowClan, no matter how tough the weather, was going to prosper. Even the newer cats, former rogues, were carefully joining the calling.

Rainbowpaw shot to her paws. "Doompaw! Doompaw!" she screamed. She was pleased to have another cat joining her in the apprentice den, even if she wasn't going to be there much longer. Only another moon! Her pelt itched with anticipation. She closed her eyes and held her head as high as it could go, calling up to StarClan, "Doompaw! Doompaw!"

[{darkles}]

The russet tabby tom had looked on, smiling contentedly as the young cat had taken shaky pawsteps to greet her leader. He remembered well the day that he had been announced as an apprentice, he'd felt as though his face had split in two from all the grinning and his paws had been hard worn on the forest floor as his mentor had shown him both the territory and the best locations to find herbs. Quiet little Doompaw would be experiencing training far different from his own, the training of a ShadowClan Warrior - lethal accuracy, a fierce pride and hunting skills that had left many cats stunned. He hoped her mentor would treat her fairly. The cats of his Clan looked to be a rag-tag bunch and had the reputation to match, but the medicine cat knew each and every one better than they thought he did, and under the furry hides were many well guarded but good hearts - despite what their owners would wish you to think.

Rain ran down his muzzle, dripping onto the sodden ground as he lifted his head to join in the acceptance of another apprentice. Duskstar's words held true, it was a proud day for ShadowClan.

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Another call echoed the cries of the Clan, louder than most, louder than normal in fact. Weaselpaw seemed to be trying to attract not only Doompaw and Duskstar's attentions, but those of the entire Clan too. He had raised himself onto his hind legs, forepaws swaying as he fought to keep his balance, yelling the name of the newest apprentice to the very tops of the rain soaked trees and beyond. It almost looked mocking, but any cat who truly knew Weaselpaw would know that it was not. The jet black tomcat was very pleased that he had gained a new denmate, someone to talk to in the early hours of the morning, another furry face he could rely on to provide an alibi for night-time adventures. The problem at the moment, was that Doompaw - younger than he by several moons - was closer to getting a mentor than he had ever been since his naming ceremony.

Alas, a problem had occurred that needed the Clan leaders attention far more than a small kit with a changed name, and his ceremony had been cut short before he had been assigned a mentor. Unable to leave camp without one, his training had suffered severely. Doompaw may be younger than himself, but in terms of fighting and hunting experience, they had an equal footing. Rainbowpaw was the only apprentice with an idea of what it was to run free in the forest, intent on the hunt, or to fight side by side with a Clanmate - even if it was only a practice bout. This was the reason for Weaselpaw's decidedly odd antics. He hoped if he could draw enough attention, no cat could forget him, and perhaps Duskstar would grant him the thing he had been longing for.

Though he fell silent at the end of the chanting, he kept wobbling, teetering forwards and backwards as he learned to balance himself - desperate to be noticed by one and all.

[cloverleaf]

The sudden commotion did well to awaken Viperfang a little more. His head snapped up suddenly at the yelling. He knew what was going on, but the fact that they had to shout out the new apprentice's name slipped his mind. He sighed heavily, catching his breath. Then he wearily began to yowl out Doompaw's name. He really felt pleasure that there was a new apprentice, but he was pretty tired and drained of energy. Once replenished though, he promised himself to personally congratulate the young she-cat with the energy she deserved. All he could do now was keep his eyes open, and that barely.

It took a moment before Eclipsesong finally joined in on the name-calling. Her voice was perhaps the quietest, reflecting just how much she spoke: rarely. But she definitely praised Doompaw, as Emberkit and her had just recently become friends, relieving the new apprentice of a hollow grief. She gazed approvingly at the she-cat with deep eyes, expressing her congratulations silently.


For the first time in her life, Emberkit yowled. She called out her new friend's name with pride. She felt a strange happiness swell in her heart, as if the she-cat was her own kit becoming an apprentice. Drastic movement caught her attention at the back of the gathered crowd. She glanced over to see Weaselpaw hoping and yowling the loudest of all. She felt a bit of pity for the older tom. He was always stuck in camp without at mentor, and here he was, cheerfully praising Doompaw, who was younger, get a mentor before him. The tom had spirit, she had to admit. And he also craved attention. She couldn't blame him; he deserved it. She cast her green eyes back to her friend and continued the yowling until it at last died down.