Pinnedby ~rainwolfeh

Digital Art / Drawings / Animals

_{"Not this time!" Sablefur yowled as she straightened the paw that caused her to trip last time, no help from the surrounding warriors and or apprentices. A confident smile crept upon her face as she felt greatly accomplished--Making it out of a crowd of cats and not slipping. Things were more emptied in the back. All four leaders were far upfront,and still no sign of Sunpaw. It'll take moons to get from here, all the way back to there: A suicide attempt! Well, that was pointless. Sablefur sighed, turning fully around, ready to pad the way back when-
"Sablepaw!"
Sablepaw? Sablefur turned around, quite curious and confused as somecat called her Apprentice name. Then she knew. That orange and white pelt was un-mistakable as Sablepaw squinted her eyes farther,"Sunpaw?" She yowled loudly, her smile grew vibrant--however praying to Starclan that this cat calling her is really Sunpaw. It has to be him! Sablefur pleaded, now fast-walking to the bright orange cat.

Sunpaw's golden eyes shone as his SnowClan friend turned and began to trot over, then dodged around a final group of chattering apprentices, with Shortpaw among them, and, purring, scrambled up to her, her dark, silky pelt illuminated in milky moonlight, and eagerly touched noses with her in greeting. "Sablepaw! I've missed you so much!" he meowed, grinning. "I feel like it's been moons. How's SnowClan? I saw snow when we got here!" he purred, then shyly ducked his head, realised he had been chattering almost nonstop. He flattened his ears shyly, embarrased, then scuffed the ground with a forepaw. "Er...I mean....hi."

Sablefur neglected Sunpaw's constant chatterings, preferring to answer it all later and embracing him after he mummured an 'hi'. Now drawing back, Sablefur spoke,"It feels like moons--I know! And Snowclan's doing great, everyone in progressing well, how goes it in Fireclan?" She explained, smiling even bigger when Sunpaw said that he saw the snow. Dying to ask, Sablefur spoke again, filled with joy,"Well? How was it? It shoud've been really cold, I bet." She purred, her chest puffed out as she held her chin up highly, her eyes closed confidently," And it's Sablefur now." The warrior concluded, waiting for Her friend's response,"Crookedpaw became Crookedflame--he's now a full Medicine cat!"

Sunpaw purred as she greeted him, the warmth of her fur a comforting brush against his pelt, feeling the happiest he'd felt, which was saying a lot for an always cheerful apprentice. He felt flooded with energy and excitement, and hardly noticed the breeze that was ruffling his bright orange pelt. "FireClan is doing great!" he began, then his thoughts clouded, so caught up, the thought of Darkpaw hadn't yet sunk in. "Er...well...Darkpaw...Darkpaw's a warrior of StarClan now." He added solemnly, then chanced a grin. "There are a lot of new apprentices, though. Russetfur, our medicine has an apprentice now, too, Plushpaw. And Rainfeather says I'm doing great in my training!" He puffed out his chest proudly, grinning, then playfully lifted a paw into the air at the mention of snow. "It was great! I just saw some when we got here. I wish FireClan got a lot of snow, I'd never seen it before, I think it's probably too hot all the time in the gorge. I duno how you do it though, it is really cold though," he admitted, ducking his head. He fought back a shiver, his pelt fluffed out for warmth, opening his mouth to speak, then stopped, paw still in the air as she spoke proudly, and he blinked and let out a loud purr. "Really? You're a warrior? That's awesome!" He said, grinning and gazing into her eyes, his own sparkling with warmth. "How is it? Is it fun? Is it absolutely amazing? Great name, too," he added, beaming. "And Crookedpaw...er, flame...is a full medicine cat? Wow," he finished, eyes wide with awe.

Sablefur frowned solemnly, remembering how Sunpaw shouted Darkpaw's name at their past gathering-- they seemt like good friends. It absolutely crushed her now that the apprentice was gone."Err...other that that--I'm glad that Fireclan's progressing well..Hopefully it gets even better!" Sablefur gave her friend a skeptical smile, staring up at the cold speck that floated down, chuckling as Sunpaw reached for it,"You'll be a warrior in no time then!" Blinking before answering his other questions, Sablefur added,"And it's pretty fun, not having to clean out Elder dens and all--But you know...I kinda miss Apprentice life, it was fun playing with the others." She gulped, blinking sadly, then remembering how crowded the warriors den is,"The warriors den is so crowded now, too!" There was a slight chuckle in her voice as she said it, "Fireclan seems hot, but you wouldn't want to have a lot of snow there, trust me, the coldness slapping on your face everyday--Thank Starclan we can tolerate it all!"

Sunpaw ducked his head, murmuring, "I know Russetfur feels terrible...it's not his or Plushpaw's fault though, it's nobody's." He was solemn for a moment, then perked his ears, practically glowing at her encouragement. "Really? I hope so!" he purred, grinning. He drooped an ear at her hesitation, then playfully cuffed her over an ear with a forepaw, giving a hesitant smile. "I bet it'll be worth it though. I guess being an apprentice is fun though," he mused, "I can't imagine not training or hunting with my mentor." He looked at his paws for a moment, the gave a cheeky grin. "Our apprentice den's pretty full, too, but I like it," he said. "It was so empty for a long time,and it's a pretty large den." Sunpaw nodded, then purred, amused. "I doubt I'd last one moon in SnowClan, not with my fur," he said, shivering as he fluffed out his fur. "I guess some cats are just meant to deal with certain weather."

"You're right." Sablefur nodded, surprised she herself didn't think of a reason like that. In fact, Sablefur ducked her head embarrassed then groaning,"Yeah, I--didn't think of that, that way." She admitted, almost wishing she hadn't said anything at all. This Gathering seemt like it was going to be the one and only place Sablefur was ever going to see Sunpaw. Meeting-- seeing eachother during border patrols, No help from Snowclan being far across from the others while Moonclan and Pebbleclan falling inside. Gatherings take moons to come, and not all cats come everytime one is present. Which meant Sablefur and Sunpaw would have to risk seeing eachother at gatherings, and wait for moons. Sablefur, nodded again, giving her friend a vibrant smile. This is a gathering, being dispondent wasn't exactly how Gatherings are supposed to be held. It is an joyous night, where clan cats from different clans got to mingle--wasn't that worth it? "I'm so happy that you're here, Sunpaw!" Sablefur squealed like a kit overjoyed to become an apprentice,"For a second, I thought you weren't here--I was looking for you, and here you are!" She chuckled, bringing a paw up to her muzzle to show it. With an indecisive smile Sablefur added,"And..you know you don't have to stay here and talk to me--I don't want to hold you back from meeting with the others."

Sunpaw grinned, then shrugged hesitantly, one ear droopipng slightly. He paused for a moment, realizing how different SnowClan and FireClan were. I wish Sablefur was in FireClan... he found himself thinking unconciously, then started, shooing the thought away, and shyly scuffed the ground with a forepaw. He was overjoyed to see her, though the bittersweet thought that he might not see her again for moons hung in the back of his mind. I guess that's what Kindlestar said about being friends with cats from other Clans, but... He was shaken from his thoughts as Sablefur squealed, and he beamed back at her, letting out a purr, his striking golden eyes dancing with warmth, and shyly touched noses with her. "Me too. I mean, I'm so happy you're here!" he stumbled over his words, then gave a cheeky grin. "I...I was scared you weren't going to be at the Gathering; I can't believe how many cats are here, I could hardly see my own Clanmates!" he mused, then playfully crouched, purring, and batted at a snowflake. His ears drooped, and he paused, paw in midair as she finished, and he sat back up, ears flattened shyly. "But...I like talking to you." He replied, rather lamely. "I've missed you so much." he admitted, scuffing the ground with a forepaw. "It's great seeing you again. But, uhm, I mean, if you wanna go find some other cat to talk to I don't mind, really," he assured, grinning.

Sablefur smiled,"The usual cats that I'll actually talk to didn't get invited this time--Crookedflame and Wolfsong, and-"The dark warrior paused, letting out an yawn. "Besides, I wanna' talk to you too--I haven't seen you in moons!" Which was a rare moment. Fireclan and Snowclan border lines were no where near eachother, Sunpaw and Sablefur both had to count on Gatherings. "And y'know? You're the only friend that I have in all the other clans!" She admitted, sitting up to reach the same falling snowflake. What am I doing? She questioned thoughtfully. Sablefur was an warrior now--Still, she'd just became a warrior a short while ago, it was a normal thing that she played just like she did when she was an Apprentice. None of that meant she couldn't have fun a little longer. Sablefur dropped to her hunters crouch, ready to snag the next falling snowflake, giving an confident smile to her friend,"This is how the professionals do it," She sneered, slalking forward. With a swift leap, the dark pelted warrior bounded in the air, arms stretched out and hind legs pulled back just as Ravenfeather taught her, sucessfully catching the flake in her paw and walking up to show Sunpaw as it melted in her paw,"Your turn!" She yowled proudly, turning around and flicking her tail to the next snowflake falling downwards from the sky.

Sunpaw grinned, eyes shining playfully as Sablepaw...no, SableFUR dropped into a crouch, stalking the snowflake in all seriousness, leaping into the air as the snowflake twirled with the wind. He purred as she showed him the quickly melting flake on her paw, then dropped into a hunter's crouch, accepting her challenge. "Watch this!" he teased, and silently stalked forward, feeling his pads sink slightly into the soft, cool ground. The snowflake was floating gently on the breeze, sparkling, and he tensed his hind legs, preparing to leap. He held his breath, pinpointing his target, then pounced, batting the snowflake with his paw, flipping it up, and catching it in his jaws. "Thee? Dats how ees done." He purred, grinning, the snowflake sticking to his tongue and quickly melting away.

"I guess that was ok." Sablefur mused, padding up to Sunpaw as the snowflake melted on his tongue,"But not as good as the great Snowclan cat, Sablefur!" She laughed, her chin held highly and a paw on her chest like the pride of a leader upon his High Rock. Glancing back down, she noticed Crookedflame speaking with Daggerpaw, Least he looks like he's enjoying himself this time. The last Gathering, Crookedflame found this whole thing 'un-eventful' Which Sablefur understood. Speaking to others must've bothered him in some way. "Anyway." Sablefur started, now turning back to Sunpaw with the same confidential smirk. "Bow before the great Sablestar!"

"Hey! The mighty FireClan cat Sunpaw could beat you any day." Sunpaw meowed, eyes narrowed in mock anger, though he couldn't help but grin. He laughed as she took the pose of a leader, and cuffed her over the ear with a forepaw, then teased, "I think I misheard you, Sablekit," he purred, then ducked away, eyes twinkling with laughter.

"Oh yeah?" A discusted Sablefur dropped back to her hunter's crouch, grinning even wider this time,"You dare misjudge your Leader? Maybe you need to start cleaning out Elder dens, Sunpaw!" She sneered, now sitting up and forming a snowball inbetween her paws,"Besides, I'm a warrior now, you think I'm gonna' let an Fireclan apprentice tackle me down? Oh you gotta be kidding!" Sablefur added,"You're so good? Try and dodge this!" With that, the dark warrior flung the snowball quickly at her orange-pelted friend, waiting to see what he could do.

"Yeah." He boasted, grinning and puffing out his chest. "Oh, almighty one! I shall do as you wish!" He meowed dramatically, lavishly crouching into a bow. "...Not." Sunpaw jumped up to cuff her over the ear, but was instead smothered by a pile of snow, landing directly on his face and splattering his fur. He was stunned for a moment as the cold stuff slowly clumped on his fur. "Hey!" he grumbled, giving his head a vigorous shake, sending snow spewing towards the Warrior. His fur was spiky and wet from the snowball, his whiskers dripping, and a lump of snow was balled on his nose.. "What was that for? Now I'm gonna get my revenge!" he teased, then whipped around and dug ferociously at a small pile of snow, shooting it between his hind legs towards Sablefur.

"Just letting you get a taste of Cold Sn--Woah!" Yowled Sablefur, bits of snow hitting her pelt as Sunpaw shook it off then being attacked by a snowball that splattered everywhere. Bringing a paw up to wipe it all off, Sablefur brought her lips back into a snarl. Never had she felt snow as cold as that hit. The thought made her shiver, uncontrollably,"Oh, it's on, kit!" With this, the dark warrior hurled herself to playfully tackle Sunpaw softly to the cold ground."Never underestimate the great Sablestar, Sunpaw! Just thought you should know that."Quickly, Sablefur jumped off of her friend to avoid getting battered off by feet, again lifting her chin up high as the moon."In any case, never underestimate any cat of Snowclan--not even the kits."

Sunpaw gave her a cheesy grin, then his eyes widened as she playfully snarled and leapt towards him, pinning him against the earth. He gave a nervous giggle, then flopped dramatically, his fur wet and covered in dirt, then stuck out his tongue, preparing to shove her off playfully, then flattened his ears in mock frustration as she let him scramble to his paws. "Oh yeah?" he teased, shaking himself vigorously, his fur spiked every which way from the wet snow. "W...we....we'll s...see a...about th..tha....that!" He teased, his chattering teeth jumbling up the sentence slightly. "Oh fine. I...a...admit you're strong. For a kit." He added, bright golden eyes twinkling with laughter.

"Just look at you!" Sablefur yowled, finding humor in the tom's wet, spiky coat and pointing a paw at him while the other floated just below her chin,"You look like one of those hedgehogs!" She mused, now in an sitting stance. Sunpaw looked frozen, the wet snow dripping from his coat--Sablefur felt a twinge of guilt in her pelt, realizing that she was the one who caused it all. Sighingith a grin, Sablefur pelted towards Sunpaw, pushing her pelt against his, in between discusted of the cold wet liquid getting on her fur as well--but it was all for a good purpose, besides? How bad could it be?
"I guess it is within the responsibility of Leader Sablestar, to care for those who rank below her." Sablefur teased, flicking Sunpaw's back with her tail.

Sunpaw gave a hesitant grin, his whiskers dripping, and ducked his head, embarrassed. He shook himself once more, but without much success; only spiking his fur more. "Thanks," he mewed, grinning shyly, as Sablefur rubbed her warm, fluffy pelt against his own, spiky wet one. The warmth of her fur pressed against his soon ceased his shivering, and he ducked his head shyly, her scent mingling both with his and the scent of earth and mud. He ducked his head, an amused glint in his eye, and playfully butted her with his head at her remark, purring in a regal tone. "Okay, fine, your greatness. I guess you win that one. But the mighty apprentice Sunpaw will...will..." he paused, then shrugged, his voice dropping to his normal tone, vibrant eyes twinkling with amusement. "What will I do, your...leader-ness?"

"Nothing."Sablefur said simply, then added," You're still just a kit, what can you possibly do?" She sneered, laughing at her own joke, but actually, Even as a warrior--Sablefur had no idea of how a leader commands. Sure, the calling of the clan upon the high rock was easy but, the responsibility for a whole clan is not as easy as the responsibility for only one cat. That's why we have deputies of course. Sablefur flustered, she should know all this--why must she have to question it all over again? Realizing that she had her head in the clouds, Sablefur snapped to reality, again smiling at Sunpaw, her eyes illuminated in the moonlight unlike Sunpaws: that shined brightly like the sun itself."You can.."Sablefur paused, thinking of something--just right,"Climb that tree!" Finally getting the order out, Sablefur pointed her tail to an young willow tree, not that far from the ground.

"Hey!" Sunpaw meowed, flattening his ears with mock anger, cuffing her over the ear with a forepaw, grinning. He gazed into her eyes for a moment...their deep depths glowing in the milky moonlight, his fiery gaze meeting her cool. "T...ree?" he meowed, her command snapping himselef out of his thoughts. He gulped, remembering the chaos that ensued when he and his friend, Beetlepaw had decided to race up a tree. But this one was a sapling, hardly a few foxlengths off of the ground. He dug his claws into the bark, and scrambled up to the top, his fur puffed out as it swayed gently back and forth with his weight. However, this time, the swaying was minimal and the height nothing to fear. He stuck his tongue out at the warrior below him, and sprung off, landing squarely on the ground, his paws sinking into the mud.

"Hey, not bad, Sunpaw!" Sablefur meowed, then jumped as she heard Crystalstar say her warrior name from afar, along with Rookfeathers,Thornstalker, Echocall and Spottedpelt--Even better, Crookedflame had taken on an apprentice, Saplingpaw! Hearing this, Sablefur held her chin high, for her--and her brother. Snowclan was doing well.
It now was the Fireclan leader, Kindlestar's turn to speak before once again, the clans closed for the Gathering and all cats were to return back to their camps. Sablefur frowned at the thought, puffing out her cheeks, least I got to play with Sunpaw for more time than the past Gathering...But, I do get to tell Wolfsong and Ravenfeather about it all! the beaming feeling made the fairly large Sablefur bounce slightly on her paws, with a smile illuminating across her face.

Sunpaw grinned, ducking his head, then perked his ears as Patchstar yowled down for the Gathering to at last begin, and he gazed up at the leaders, their pelts shimmering in the moonlight, with an air of dignity always surrounding them. He glanced at Sablefur as Patchstar finished and Crystalstar began, then purred quietly, "Sablefur! Sablefur!" as his friend held up her head and puffed out her chest. He couldn't help but wince as Cursedstar ran through her news of the wolves, and he felt his fur prickle. Wolves?
He felt his heart sink as he realized how fast the Gathering had gone by, with only one more leader, HIS leader left to speak. He, ofo course, was eager to see what Kindlestar would report, but it also meant the Gathering would be drawing to a close. He glanced from Sablefur to his paws, sighing.

Sablefur, still looking at the four leaders, particulary, Kindlestar, smiled. The Gathering was very quick this time--and every-cat was still waiting for the Fireclan leader to make her speach before we all went home. Though smiling, the dark brown warrior couldn't help but to feel an aching sadness inside of her for once again--she'll be leaving her best friend, waiting for at least 3 moons to possibly see him attending the next Gathering, "I wish you could come visit Snowclan--or maybe I could visit Fireclan and get a feel of all that heat you all claim is so great." She mummured to Sunpaw, yet still not looking in his direction,"I've heard about the Gorge you guys have, and that cliff--I bet it's a pretty view from all the way up there, huh." This, of course was a normal feeling for all cats that make good friends with those that are not of their clan--but that is why they are told not to get too close to other clan cats in case they are met in battle. I should've just walked away after I slipped. Sablefur regretted, it would be an horrible event if the both of them had to face eachother's clans to a war. But their loyalty remains in both of their clans, they cannot risk family over friends as Sablefur promised during the night of her Warriorship. "Hey." Sablefur meowed, finally facing her friend,"Do you think that both of our clans will ever have a war between eachother?"

"I wish I could, too." he murmured, gazing down at his paws, absentmindedldy scuffing at the ground with a forepaw. "Even if it meant getting my fur soaked." He gave a hesitant grin as she spoke, and looked up at her, though she was avoiding his gaze. "It is...it's really beautiful. But...the most beautiful thing, I think, is watching the sunset from the top of the gorge. Nothing like it." He said, lost in his thoughts. He felt a pang in his heart, as it sunk in that soon, after his leader spoke, he would have to leave his best friend. He remembered what Kindlestar had told him at the end of the previous Gathering, but pushed it away. He glanced up as Sablefur spoke, and felt a jolt in his chest, and he gazed into her deep amber eyes for a moment, then swallowed, trying to rid the lump in his throat. "I....I hope not." he said, flattening his ears, tail drooping, and looked up at his friend. What would he do? What if there was a war between their Clans? Between Fire and Snow? He would, of course, be loyal to his Clan, protect it, fight, even at the cost of his own life...but what if Sablefur was there? He knew he would never be able to fight his friend. Never. He sighed, then blinked at Sablefur. "I...I'm going to miss you, Sablefur. I wish Gatherings were longer," he murmured. He gave a hesitant smile, knowing that, as soon as his leader spoke, they would all have to disperse and leave to their own Clans.

"Oh." Sablefur mewed softly, figuring that sunpaw was right,"Sunsets are always pretty, especially from an higher point of watching." Snowclan had the prettiest sunsets as well--and they were even more enjoying now that the numbers of the twolegs had lessened, which was quite strange. Usually there would be many twolegs coming this season. Could that be included in the part of Hawkwish's prophecy,' Strangers are leaving'? With the odds being as they are, Sablefur's guess sounded fit to be true. Crookedflame wasn't alone with this, now that he has told the clan the prophecy, we all have to assist him. Sablefur smiled at the saddened tom, in hope was to lighten the moment again. Flicking a small amount of fresh snow the apprentices' way,"I'll miss you, too! Maybe we'll get to see eachother sooner than the next gathering!" This, of course, Sablefur doubted skeptically--but at least she actually got to see and now play with him longer.

Sunpaw tried to picture a sunset on SnowClan territory, imagine how the beautiful rays of light would look bouncing off of the snow and ice. A light puff of snow from Sablefur shook him from his thoughts and he grinned, purring. "That would be great! I'll look out for you," he mewed playfully, but with a hint of hesitation. So long as it's not a border skirmish! It had been amazing to see his friend again, and his heart ached, knowing that the earliest he most most likely see her was in a moon.

"Yup! And maybe when you get back to your camp, Kindlestar will give you your warrior name--I bet you're looking forward to that, hmm?" There was a pang of laughter in her voice, mocking the excitement of the other apprentices'. Still waiting for Kindlestar to announce made the dark warrior shuffle the earth with unease, not being able to tell whether she should feel upset, sad and distrought or gleeful, happy--enjoying. I guess that's all part of 'bittersweet'. Sablefur wondered, flicking her tail irritably as Kindlestar still hasn't started.}</sub>