Wayward Winds

[LupTacco]

Whispers, whispering, whispers on the wind. It was impossible to hide her secret no matter how little appetite she had, but for her clans' merits they did not accuse her of anything. She was certain they were all wondering who the father could be, which tom in their ranks had managed to charm her a second time- some, she was sure, somehow suspected Daisypetals of all cats. But the truth was much worse than that. Curling her tail against her belly, Bearstar sighed, and head out of her den. The usual bright gleam of her eyes was faded, the last of its fire spent at the previous Gathering- her eyes were now covered in a thin, milky haze that was fairly telling of her vision. Everything was dim and blurry, and color was practically gone from the world. Each day she hoped that whatever was doing this would somehow take her life, so that she might have her eyesight back when she revived. Luckily, she was well-acquainted with the route she had for this evening, and leapt onto the outcropping seamlessly, hoping that the shadows near the roof of the cave would hide her condition some. "May all cats old enough to cross the waterfall gather below for a clan meeting."

"Our young cats have been training well these past moons, and many are ready to earn their names and stand vigil tonight. Maplepaw, Venompaw, Applepaw, Gullpaw, Gourdpaw, Webpaw, Spiderpaw, and Owlpaw- please come forward," the MistClan leader swept her tail out and back to her sides to summon each cat forward. Clearing her throat, she went on to name each of them:

"Maplepaw, you have healed well and trained with the patience and strength of a cat much older than yourself, and are finally ready to join your siblings in warriorhood- you will be Maplefire, for your burning determination and the striking tone of your fur." As Bearstar spoke, Maplefire might feel like he was being watched by someone not there; deep in the Dark Forest, Sootface smiled to himself knowingly. Maplefire, burning through the forest and leaving behind only the strongest trees that deserve to be there, he thought.

"Venompaw, for your cunning mind, sharp wit, and sly tongue, you will be known as Venomtooth. Your gifts are not quite conventional, but they are invaluable to our ranks."

"Applepaw, your boundless energy and cheer is something an old queen like me could aspire to sometimes. You will be Applewind, as light and pleasant as the warm breeze of new-leaf."

"Gullpaw, in spite of your fears, you have faced the challenges of training admirably. Your name will be Gullhop, as you overtake the challenges set before you."

Taking in a deep breath for a quick pause, Bearstar focused on the four children of Silvermist and Daisypetals.

"Gourdpaw, your strong sense of smell has served not only yourself and your family well, but your clan. You will be Gourdnose."

"Webpaw, you never gave up hope for your training, and have made it today as ready as your siblings. You will be known as Websong."

"Spiderpaw, your bravery and ambition speaks to the spirit of the toughest things in the world- you will be Spideroak. "

"And Owlpaw, you-" even as she spoke, she saw the young tom stand, and open his jaws.

"Uh, Bearstar? I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have something important to say," Owlpaw spoke slowly and deliberately, putting great care into each word. He  looked to his siblings apologetically, then to his mother, father, and mentor, before turning back to his leader. "There's been... a lot happening, lately, that doesn't sit well with me. Ever since I was little, I wanted to help others and protect them-"

Bearstar's eyes narrowed with criticism, "Is that not what you have been training to do the past six moons?"

He mulled the question over, but shook his head. "Not the way I was hoping. I've lost my brother, Halfpaw- I couldn't do anything to protect him. And Webpaw- er, Websong- is in much better paws with Gourdnose. He always knows when she's about to get sick. And I never do. That's why I-" he took a deep breath, closing his eyes to summon up his courage before opening them back up to the diluted copper stare of Bearstar. "That's why I want to keep my name as it is, and leave MistClan." He felt his ears burn as stares and perhaps even growls were thrown at him.

"I've thought about this for a while. I'm sure it's what I want," he added, looking up at the brown-furred leading queen meaningfully, before turning to his siblings at his sides. "I'm sorry, but you'll all be fine. I'll keep watch when I can, and I'll always love you all. Please tell mom and dad this for me," he murmured to them, nosing their cheeks and flicking his tail at their flanks gently. "And Pebbleshade-" he raised his voice, picking his mentor out of the crowd, "Please don't think you failed in any way- you were a great mentor, and I learned so much from you. That's why I want to remain Owlpaw- I want MistClan to remember me as your apprentice. And I always will be."

Bearstar breathed a harsh sigh out through her nose, "Finished?" Owlpaw nodded, and the MistClan leader nodded back. "Someone escort him out of camp and to the edge of our territory. It is no longer his place to roam. I do not care who goes- I trust each of you to do as you must. That is all."

[Dragon]

Maplepaw woke that morning with a huge smile on his face. He had spent the night training with Sootface and had been told he would be made warrior today. So when he heard to call to gather he quickly headed out and sat near the front ready to move up when he was called. When he along with several other apprentices were called forward he stepped forward and lifted his head proudly. Hearing his new name Maplefire sent a fire burning through him and he couldn't wait to burn through the clan and take out all the week from not only Mistclan but all the clans. He would make Mistclan the strongest of all the clans. When Gullpaw became Gullhop he called out his friends name loudly and padded towards him giving him a playful nudge. "I told you that you could do it."



Webpaw had woken up early that morning and gone on the dawn patrol. She was trying to be of any help she could be since the last two days she had spend in her den recovering from a seizure. She was back to full strength and wanted to prove to her clan that they could count on her. As Webpaw and the rest of the patrol returned it was just in time to hear Bearstar call a gathering. Spotting Gullpaw she darted over to him and sat right at his side her fur just brushing his. "Good morning Gullpaw," she whispered happily. Hearing her name called along with Maplepaw, Gullpaw and others she stepped forward staying at Gullpaws side. She listened quietly as Maplepaw became Maplefire giving a slight cheer. She still had a bad feeling about him but other than a feeling she had nothing else to convince Gullpaw that he shouldn't hang with the tom. When Gullpaw was called and became Gullhop she cried out happily and bounced up to him and wrapped her tail around his. "That's a great name," she purred softly. When it was her turn she lifted her head excitedly but also nervously. Hearing her new name Websong shocked her into silence, it was so beautiful, she loved it. She remained frozen with tears of joy filling her eyes. She had been afraid she would be named something after her disability like Websquirm or Webslip, or something else. To hear such a beautiful name for her... it just made her so happy that Bearstar saw past her seizures.



Silvermist sat outside the warriors den as the gathering began. She watched as her kits were called forward and giving their warrior name. But when Owlpaw was called he interrupted her. Her eyes grew wide as she began to understand what was going on. She darted toward her son and buried her nose in his fur. "Please don't leave Owlpaw, I can't bear to loose another son. Please stay with us."



Maplefire eyes hardened as Owlpaw spoke more and stated he was leaving. He bared his teeth and growled. "COWARD, TRAITOR," he stalked towards the tom. Turning to look at his leader he spoke loud and clear, "let me escort this coward to the border and make sure he doesn't steal any prey on his way out."

[Broadwaykat]

Nettletooth sat with a small satisfied smile on her face, as she knew that her apprentice would finally be proving himself to the world. Of course, she had no inkling that she was not his only mentor - and therefore every success he had was hers, so she thought. Of course, he could not compare to any of her brilliant children; but she was proud nonetheless.

---

Gullpaw however, was his usual flustered self. He knew he had to be proud of this day, but unlike some of the other clan cats, he had no parents to help groom him. He had slept in, woken up late, and his flyaway fur stuck out at odd angles as he was finally prodded forward in order to make his own ceremony. He wanted to make Robinheart proud though, so as he slid to a stop beside Webpaw, he did his best to lick the fur on his own chest into some form of submission - stopped only by her addressing him directly.

"Oh, yeah! G'Morning!" He was still blinking sleep from his eyes, but it was clear that Webpaw had been up much longer than him. Out of any of the apprentices, it was likely that he was one of the few who had actually managed to sleep, even with the excitement of the next day looming over him.

As Bearstar made her announcements, Gullpaw fidgeted a little bit. What would he end up being assessed, he wondered. A niggling thought in the back of his mind was that he'd be still passed over, not seen as warrior material yet. Maplepaw was, of course - so there was no question that he was called first and given a new name. But the cheer had barely crossed his lips, and those of Applewind and Venomtooth, when his own name was called.

He felt; happy honestly, even as he stumbled slightly on his way forward. Sure, Gullhop wasn't a powerful or particularly masculine name; but he was honestly so happy to have finally been seen as an adult, that it didn't matter. It sounded all the sweeter when Maplefire echoed it, and as Webpaw (no, Websong) made her way forward and brushed her shoulders against his, he felt a little zing eek it's way through his blood, making him feel warm all over and honestly like he would take on the world as the new, the mighty, Gullhop.

"Thanks, Websong." He carefully made sure to put an emphasis on her new name as well. "Yours is perfect too. I mean, song - it certainly fits. Because you're voice, like - is sing-y." The skin beneath his fur felt a little warmer, but their were other cats to be named - leaving them only with Owlpaw who -

Who didn't want to be a part of Mistclan anymore.

Gullhop couldn't hold back his own shock - jaws parting slightly as he looked at Owlpaw in a new light. He knew him as Websong's brother, mostly. An affable guy, who showed about as much promise as the rest of them. But the idea of spending all that time training, only to decide that clan life was not for them, well - it was just....strange. Gullhop was stunned, honestly; although despite the shock on his face made no other move other than to step a little closer to Websong, as if his own body knew she might need some sort of support, even if his brain didn't quite register it.

Maplefire was the first of the apprentices to apparently take note on this apparent betrayal - and for once, even to his own ears, Gullhop caught a note of harshness in his friends' voice. But, he reasoned, he was probably just as shocked as everyone else was. Everyone reacted a little differently, right. He looked over at Websong and gulped, whispering to her in a quick way. "Uh...do you want to go with him, maybe? Or do you want me too. Help see him off, I mean. Cause I can volunteer to go with them. You can too - or we both can."

He didn't understand Websong's hesitation about Maplefire...but he also knew that he wanted to encourage her to be more comfortable with his other friend.

[LupTacco]

Owlpaw's folded ears somehow flattened even closer to his round head, leaning into his mother and holding back tears. "I'm sorry, I love you so much," he murmured, just for Silvermist to hear, "we'll see each other again one day, I know it." The young tom's heart froze, however, as he heard Maplefire's muttering, a twinge of fear creeping up his spine. Something about the ginger tabby tom had always seemed a little odd ever since the accident that delayed his training, but Owlpaw never had any proof of anything- yet the ice in the fiery new warrior's words was as sharp as a hawk's talons. Giving him a wary glance, he brushed his muzzle against Silvermist's ear and whispered as softly as he could, "If you come by the barn on nights where the moon is dark, I'll be there." Then he drew away, forcing a brave smile for her, but the look in his eyes was meaningful, hopeful- Please, please come see me.

His expression morphed to a stoic, stony look as he padded towards Maplefire. "I will not steal anything, but I understand your concern. You're a good warrior, after all," he spoke carefully, his soft honey-yellow eyes matching up to the burning amber gaze in front of him before drifting to Websong and Gullhop behind him. He wasn't sure if he wanted them to come- it would hurt to look back at Websong as he left, after all- but part of him was afraid to walk alone with his angered clanmate.

tags;; Dragon, Broadwaykat

//just to make sure it's clear owlpaw secretly tried to tell silvermist that he will be hanging out at the barn once a month to keep contact with his family

[bits]

Now, Rookshade was not particularly engaged by politics. He didn't want to be involved - emotional distancing was a boon and the best part of his adult life. Worried about clanmates? Distance. Nightmares about childhood? Distance. Feelings of hopeless isolation? That's right baby - distance. In short, Rookshade wasn't often present at such meetings. He spent the majority of his days sleeping and lounging outside of camp. He was the lazy, irresponsible, and sharp-tongued warrior that most wrote off. The perfect image.

But boy was he glad to be present at this one. His gossip-loving heart was swelling three sizes as one of the apprentices just up and left. Oh, he had toyed with the idea here and there, always giving in to his apathy in the end. Then again, he thought about a lot of things that he ended up not doing out of apathy.

In a way, Rook felt like he was living vicariously through Owlpaw. His bored expression was broken by an amused twitch of his whiskers. Oh, a better warrior would be mad or silent, but Rookshade had a whole, jerk persona to keep up.

"Oh that's a whole mood."

The dry words weren't particularly meant to be heard, just to be spoken.

[gingersnapsdacat]

Daisypetals

Daisypetals watched his leader climb up to the highledge, keenly aware of the life that dwelled within her. Even though it was harder to see in the shadows, he knew that her eyes had gone. Everyday, it seemed, things had been getting a little bit worse, and there was nothing Daisypetals could do to stop it. 

But those were all issues that he could address later, when he and BearStar were in private. In this moment, he had another duty; his role as a father. Daisypetals quickly padded up to where Silvermist was seated, softly brushing his tail across hers to alert her of his prescence. Yes, it was unmistakeable that no matter what, the silver she-cat would always hold a special place in Daisypetals’s life. After all, she was the mother of his kits. Quickly, so as not to keep them away from their moment in front of the leader, Daisypetals leaned in, giving each of his kittens an encouraging lick. 

“Gourdpaw, your strong sense of smell has served not only yourself and your family well, but your clan. You will be Gourdnose. Webpaw, you never gave up hope for your training, and have made it today as ready as your siblings. You will be known as Websong. Spiderpaw, your bravery and ambition speaks to the spirit of the toughest things in the world- you will be Spideroak.”

Daisypetals beamed, his eyes alight with pride and happiness as he watched the first three of his kits recieve their names. He knew all of them had faced challenges; Gourdnose with learning to control his senses, Websong overcoming her seizures, and Spideroak with his feelings of being second best. But here they all were, warriors of MistClan. They needed only to be joined by Owlpaw, and everything would fall into place.

"Uh, Bearstar? I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have something important to say,"

Or not.

The medicine cat watched, confused, as his son addressed the dull-eyed leader. 

"I wanted to help others and protect them-”

Daisypetals glanced from the leader, over to where the newly named warriors were stood, and the back to Owlpaw. Nobody seemed to understand what was happening, or what Owlpaw was about to announce. 

"That's why I want to keep my name as it is, and leave MistClan."

Daisypetals felt his heart drop. His son...was leaving? Pausing, Daisypetals thought he could almost understand. Even if it hurt, what Owlpaw said was indeed true. He had not been able to help Halfpaw. He could not tell when Websong was going to be sick. Maybe he could find a purpose outside of his clan. But even if Daisypetals could understand, it still hurt. He followed after Silvermist, hoping that at very least, he could offer some sort of advice before Owlpaw left. 

“My son,” he whispered, trying to hide his tears. He could see in Owlpaw’s eyes that the apprentice did not need someone else begging him to stay. Daisypetals shook his head, smiling sadly. “I understand, you need to find the place you belong. If that is not here, then I will not try to stop you leaving. When you do find what you are looking for, you hold onto it for all you have.”

Gourdnose

Gourdpaw walked up beside his siblings, his grey fur perfectly groomed. This was the moment that he had been dreaming of for moons. He was going to be a warrior! He stood in front of the brown-furred she-cat, bowing his flat-eared head. 

“Gourdpaw, your strong sense of smell has served not only yourself and your family well, but your clan. You will be Gourdnose.”

The newly named warrior raised his head, grinning from ear to folded ear. He was a warrior now! He was Gourdnose! And his sister, she was Websong! And Spideroak, that was his brother! And Owlpaw…

"Uh, Bearstar? I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have something important to say,"

Gourdnose stopped his silent celebration, staring at his brother. What was he doing?! They weren’t supposed to talk during the ceremony! 

Slowly, as Owlpaw spoke, things began to click into place. 

“Websong is in much better paws with Gourdnose. He always knows when she's about to get sick. And I never do.”

Gourdnose felt a twinge of guilt. Was he the reason Owlpaw was doing this? Had he driven his brother away? He couldn’t handle losing another brother. The grey tomcat stepped forwards, ready to berate his brother for trying to leave them. But the moment his brother turned around, all of the words fell away. He couldn’t force his brother to stay somewhere where he did not want to be. Gourdnose buried his sensitive nose into his brother’s fur, taking in a deep inhale of his scent. 

“I will keep everyone safe. I promise. Just...come visit me, okay?”

Gourdnose watched as his littermate padded away towards the exit of camp. 

"COWARD, TRAITOR,"

The grey tomcat turned quickly, glaring at his clanmate. He knew that some cats would be unhappy, but that did not give them the right to insult his kin. 

“Stay out of this Maplefire,” Gourdnose hissed, trying to step between him and Owlpaw. But the moment his brother began speaking, Gourdnose forced himself to retreat. He stood only a tail-length away, but already it felt like leagues. As he moved to stand beside his sister and Gullhop, he caught the last few words of their conversation. 

"You can too - or we both can."

Gourdnose knew that the question was not directed towards him, but still, he felt compelled to answer. 

“We should all go. Spideroak too.” Gourdnose’s gaze moved back up, to where he saw that Owlpaw was finished speaking. Now, he spoke up, addressing both BearStar and everyone else within earshot. “All of us, Websong, Spideroak, Gullhop, and myself, we will all escort my brother. He deserves to be seen off by friends.”

Gourdnose could not help but put a bit of harshness into the last word, his eyes flicking towards Maplefire. 

[Fireflake]

[Buckleap]
It was pretty much business as usual for Buckleap. Cats had come home chattering about the Gathering, and he'd been meaning to speak to Silvermist about it as he himself hadn't been present, but clan life had kept him busy. He flicked an ear as he looked at Bearstar. The tom looked around for his- hm, friend- as her kits were called up to become warriors, but he didn't see her.

[Pebbleshade]
Pebbleshade had been keeping his head down recently, but he couldn't help raising it when Owlpaw was called to receive his warrior name. The grey cat flashed Maplepaw a congratulatory look as well, feeling he somewhat knew the cat after their few chance encounters. Of course Bearstar's eyesight was worrying, and her pregnancy perhaps more so given the fate that had befallen her first litter's father, but he tried to look for the light in it. That was all he could really do now. She would have the kits and all the new lives would offer something beautiful to MistClan. She would lose a life at some point, and her eyes would clear. Everything would go back to n- no. Pebbleshade's ears flattened as he heard Owlpaw's voice.

This was the second of his apprentices to speak out during his naming ceremony. Was he doing something wrong? Pebbleshade's mind flashed back to hissing at the tribe cats at the Gathering and warmth fizzled to his cheeks. Still, Owlpaw was a good cat, so Pebbleshade forced his ears to prick and listen to what he had to say. "Not the way I was hoping."
Pebbleshade shuffled back and away from the crowd. I'm sorry. The tom's jaw dropped but nothing came out. He wouldn't growl, he knew. He wouldn't cheer Owlpaw's new name either.

Pebbleshade snapped his jaw shut and nodded at the young cat's farewell. As much as he wanted to, he just couldn't take Owlpaw's words to heart. Not now, not in this state of mind. The thought stirred inside of him that Owlpaw was a traitor, but he couldn't reconcile that with what he knew of the apprentice. He was a kind cat, and being kind even now. "Thank you," he mouthed, still apparently lacking the strength to make any kind of sound.

[Buckleap]
Buckleap's eyes flicked around for Silvermist. He didn't think he'd have any problems finding her now. Sure enough, she was quickly at Owlpaw's side. Buckleap stayed seated, but kept his eyes on the she-cat.

[Pebbleshade]
When Maplefire yelled at Owlpaw, Pebbleshade's ears flattened again. He wanted to call out in Owlpaw's defense and tell Maplefire he had it wrong. His jaw stayed locked shut. Other cats slowly began to join in and whisk him away, but Pebbleshade didn't pay much attention. He couldn't. His vision had lost focus, and his chest was tight. Pebbleshade had rarely felt anything exactly like it but there was one thing distinctly similar... ah yes, drowning.

[Broadwaykat]

Gullhop was torn with how to react. Clearly, Maplefire was mad about Owlpaw's actions; but, at the same time...at least he was telling them now, right? As Maplefire's furious looks seemed to infect him, he found himself becoming rather fascinated with his own front paws as he subtly shifted towards Websong, so that his fluffy fur was practically brushing her own pelt. Hopefully, Maplefire would remember that Websong was his friend too. He wanted to support her in saying by to his family; after all, they knew how painful it was to lose someone, even if, technically, Owlpaw wasnt dying.

"O-okay." He said blinking shyly and looking up at Gourdnose who seemed to step into to Maplefire. He wanted himself and Spideroak to join them, as Owlpaw deserved to be seen off by friends. He had never really spoken to either of Websong's brothers all that much, even when they shared a den, and he was a little shocked to be included in their little group. Even if it was probably just because he had stood by their sister.

Still, he found himself shooting a kind of wary look at Maplefire. He just wanted to help; that was all.


Dragon, gingersnapsdacat, LupTacco