[ti]Private[/ti]Time to Leave the Nest

[Miss Tactical]

The black scarred tom looked around Camp. Sootpaw was more than likely getting into trouble, there was something odd about her that he couldn’t quite put his paw on. Bellfeather was expecting kits, he was going to be a dad once more. There was a sense of relief knowing the she-cat he loved very dearly was going to kits. It was a proud moment. His eyes scanned the clearing and suddenly they fell on the cat he was looking for. ”Batstrike!” He mewed firmly. He stood up and walked forward urgency in his tone. He tossed his head towards the camp entrance. ”Come patrol with me. We have work to do.”

IN reality the tom needed to Mentor him, to mold him. There would be a time when Brackenstar wouldn’t be around or even himself. When he was away looking for Brackenstar when he got kidnapped Batstrike seemed to hold things well, it was rather unfair of him to throw him into a position so fast without any sense of direction but he held his own. Eveningblaze would never admit such but he was rather impressed. The tom walked through the entrance and into the fields before reaching a rather tall hill that overlooked the territory.

”Have a seat,” Eveningblaze sat down and wrapped his tail around his paws in the distance he could see mentors training apprentices, cats running in and out of the tall grass patrolling the territory, marking borders. He nodded firmly before looking at the black and white tom. ”We have a lot to discuss today and it’s not often I get free time so I hope you can learn fast.” He mewed. It wasn’t often he cared to mentor a warrior. The only cat he really worked with often was Darkstorm, and even then it wasn’t as often as he would have liked.

”You see those warriors down there training those apprentices? That…right there is MothClan’s future.” He mewed firmly. It was rather….amazing to see how young cats got molded into strong warriors who continue to work hard for their clan. ”But before they become apprentices they are molded by their mothers…always remember Queens and their children come first. You ALWAYS keep them happy. I think they have the most important job in the clan.” There was no friendliness to his tone. It rather serious. ”Don’t you agree?” He asked placing his words carefully.

[Storm]

Batstrike
MothClan | Warrior | Tom | 30 Moons | Heterosexual

The tom had just dipped out of the elders den from visiting with Shadowstorm, as he often did.  His ear twitched to the familiar call of his name, he recognized the voice before his eyes even found the origin.  Spotting Eveningblaze on his approach the tom skipped into his gait, meeting the tom halfway.  Inquiry flickered across his face briefly noticing the air of importance, "Yes, of course!"  Eveningblaze's voice had found the sound of his name more and more often lately, maybe this was an important patrol he needed assistance with.  Perhaps the other clans were pushing back at the borders harder now and he needed a trusted warrior to accompany him.  The tom followed silently out of camp, assuming he'd be given the information he needed whenever the deputy was ready to share it.  

Reaching the peaks of the hills in the territory many used to train, the confusion returned.  Maybe they this was just a regular patrol, but no- they'd be stopping here.  How strange.  The lean tom shifted back on his haunches to comply, his long tail running through the fields grass calmly behind him.  The blades giving way under the little weight of his sweeping tail, flicking back to it's stiff position once free again to the rhythm of his breath.  He gave a nod, "I'll do my best, but-" he grew quiet before sharing that he was a bit lost on what was going on at the moment.  

His yellow gaze fell across his clanmates training in the distance as he listened.  It be a lie to say he wasn't searching for Cherryhawks fiery pelt out there with her apprentice as he processed and reflected Eveningblaze's words.  Yes it made since, the youth of the clan became the clan and queens controlled the growth of the clan in that way.  Everyone knew that, but it seemed like the black tom was looking for more.  He knew he'd struggle with his words but knew what he wanted to say, "Our clan is... We all take care of each other, especially the vulnerable because everyone has a role to play.  Our queens and kits are vital to continuing our clan.  Without them we have no new warriors to protect us and take care of our elders... We'd shrink in number and eventually be eaten up by the other clans." His head swiveled back to meet his scarred face, eyes searching for his reaction and any cues on where this was going.  

[Miss Tactical]

Eveningblaze flicked his tail as Batstrike spoke giving a firm nod to his response clearly impressed that he seemed roughly on the same page. The black tom sat in silence for just a moment, picking his next set of words carefully, he didn’t want to cause an unnecessary stir of unease. ”There will be a time, when there won’t be a Brackenstar, or perhaps even myself if I’m not careful.” He mewed, there was a sense of amusement in his ton when he mentioned himself, he seemed to get himself into a lot of situations as of late and he was more than certain it would continue. Sure once his kits arrived he would slow down, they needed a dad and he would make sure to be both the deputy the clan needed, and the dad his kits needed as well.

”I am harsh because this clan needs a realist. The forest isn’t filled with butterflies each day you never know if you will come home, or wake up the next morning. However following StarClans rules will help us live another day.” HE mewed. He stared ahead watching the patrols go in and out of the tall grass, walking towards the carrion place. Clan life went on despite all the hard ships that they once faced and will continue to face, but it was up to the clans leaders and strongest warriors to keep everything afloat.
”I do what I feel is right, and it was quite wrong of me to throw you into a position that day when Brackenstar went missing amongst the chaos without proper words of Wisdom…I apologize for that.” He mewed frankly. Before he ran off to find their leader in the two-leg place the black tom had made Batstrike his deputy, that way if something HAD happened to both of them at the two-leg place at least MothClan would have a solid leader to take care of them. After that decision he had stormed off searching for Brackenstar with some of the best. They were quite lucky to bring them home.

”So now I am giving you the chance to ask any questions you may have about your future with MothClan. Batstrike, if StarClan blesses me and gives me the chance to be a leader I feel it is only fair that you Stand next to me.” He mewed firmly. Batstrike had filled in on more than one occasion sure they may not have the same views or ideals but it is about balance. Sure Darkstorm was a solid choice as well, he practically raised the boy once his father passed. He was a wise choice too but something about Batstrike.. just clicked with him like it did Darkstorm. ”You and I weren’t born into this clan, but this is our home now. It’s our duty to protect what is rightfully ours.” HE finally mewed after a moment of silence.

[Storm]

Batstrike
MothClan | Warrior | Tom | 30 Moons | Heterosexual

The tom found himself holding his breath as he waited for the deputy to speak again.  Only with Eveningblaze's nod did he catch his breath.  His head tilted to the side as he thought over the words, his ears drooping a little considering the loss of Brackenstar.  The toms amusement eased a small smile to the edges of Batstrikes maw though.  "Well, I pray StarClan looks kindly down on all of us," he mewed wishing away any ills.  Maybe he was superstitious but it wasn't good to have such dark thoughts with kits on the way.  
 
His tail tip flicked the thought away as his ears perked to listen again.  Batstrike had not always felt the same respect for Eveningblaze he had now.  As a younger warrior he resented some of the deputies training tactics and policies.  Even just this past season he was against pushing the borders thinking the fight wouldn't be worth the extra space to hunt, but he was wrong.  MothClan did well despite the cold and so maybe he'd been wrong all along.  Eveningblaze had put quite some trust in the tom in leaving the clan in his paws to rescue the missing and with the return of Brackenstar he knew he could put his trust in this black tom.  Batstrike knew the dangers of the forest all to well too, the snapping jowls of a dog had found Shadowstorm and him, that nightmare would be with him forever.  His whiskers twitched, he didn't agree that harshness was the best way to express what needed to be done, but he had a point about being realistic.

Batstrike shook his head to dismiss the apology, "It was an honor to be called on to serve my clan when they needed me."  His expression turned sheepish for a moment, "If anything I apologize for not being able to keep everyone's spirits up before your return.  I did my best, I really did."  At least the other clans hadn't noticed that both of MothClan's leadership were gone, or if they had they hadn't dared to make a move against what was left of the clan.  He could at least hold his head high about that.  

The black and white felines eyes widened, his maw parting as he replayed the words again to make sense of them.  Sure he had played the role as a temporary deputy before, but this seemed more official.  More thought out and less rushed than before, even if it was talk of a future he hoped to be far in the distance.  "I- I recognize your experience and success Eveningblaze, I'd be glad to stand at your side.  If when your time comes as leader you'd still see me fit to do so, what would you expect of me? Would you want to hear my thoughts on issues or just assist when you need?" If Eveningblaze wanted Batstrike to follow him, he'd carry out his orders even if they didn't reflect him so long as it was for the best interest of the clan.  His gaze fell back across the field below them, home he said... "Family isn't always blood... My family calls MothClan it's home and I assure you I will protect it."