Storytime (Kits and Apprentices welcome)

[mystic]

Dappleflower
^{None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm}

Dappleflower lay outside the elder's den, watching the kits play. She knew these kits would have a hard time. She sighed and twitched her whiskers. However she knew that the strongest kits would survive the cold, cruel weather.

With a sigh she looked up, remebering her little lost Hopekit. She had been a winter's kit. And she hadn't survived. Then the old cat turned back and watched the kits. Finally she raised her voice.

"Gather 'round young ones. And I will tell you a story." She mewed. "Of times of yore, when the land was young."

[ivyy]

.: Thornpaw :.
Apprentice of ThunderClan

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Thornpaw padded towards the older she-cat, water soaked moss held gently in his mouth. He pass her just in time to her her call out for the kits to gather around her for a story. His ears flicked, 'A story..' he thought, beginning to get excited 'I could go for a story'. Whitestar had him running the usual apprentice errands today, bring water to the elders and kits, changing bedding, etc. etc.

He layed the precious water down carefully before the other elders before making a swift exit, not wanting to miss a bit of the elder's tale. He slowed as Dappleflower came into his sights again, he didn't want to seem desperate. He bowed his head in respect as he turned to face her, something he'd seen his mentor do, and he was the leader! Thornpaw sat across from the story-teller, tail folded over his paws as he smiled. "I hope you don't mind me sitting in." he interjected quickly, as she inhaled before starting.

Thornpaw's tail tip flickered quickly in excitement as he awaited the beginning of the story. There was nothing the large apprentice loved more than a action filled, absorbing story. The chill wind swept over ThunderClan's camp, but he didn't notice. In fact, the only thing he noticed was the elder's lips as they began to move with the grace and steadiness of the lake.

[mystic]

Dappleflower
^{None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm}

"Long ago, in a time when cats lived who's names have faded into the mists of the past, there was born a black cat." she began. "His father was not known. He grew swiftly, and when he opened his eyes they were red as the blood of warriors and souless as the unforgiving leaf bare sun." She paused for dramatic effect. "He grew, and became a warrior, and all around cats feared him for his deadly skill. Then, one gathering night, rogues descended on the camp and slaughtered many cats, including the red eyed tom. As he lay in his own pooling blood he cursed starclan for letting this happen. He cursed them in a loud yowl. Then he raised his voice to the dark forest, and called to the evil cats who live there. He begged them to let him avenge his clanmates. And they heard his plea. However since he was near death, they could not bring him back. Instead they took his soul, and left him an empty shell of living death.

A terrible thirst overtook him and he attacked the rogues. One by one he killed them and drank their blood. They tired to kill him, but their claws passed though him like he was a mist. When he was finished attacking, their bodies were like dead leaves, dried out husks." she licked her lips.

"He still lives to this day, caught between life and death. They call him.... Bloodfang the cruel." she grinned. "And he hunts down prey on moonless nights. Much like the ones in the cold of leaf bare. He seeks out the blood of living cats...." She paused again. "And no cat who has been attacked by him has lived. However, if you are good kittens and listen to your mothers Bloodfang will leave you alone. But if you don't listen, he'll eat you up and only leave your toes."

[ivyy]

Thornpaw's eyes widened as she told the story. How terrible, the story was all about wickedness and evil. A kit nestled into his stomach, and he wrapped his tail around her. "Shh, it's only a story." he murmured, more to himself than to the frightened little she-cat at his breast.

His whiskers twitched as he felt his insides churn at the horribly scary story. Why would a cat do such a thing? Thornpaw wondered, his mind flittering around, trying to stay distracted as the tale reached it's end. As she spoke the final words, he eased away from the pale kit and stood, his shoulder fur raised slightly. "What a terrible story! That was awful!" he said shakily to the smiling Dappleflower.

[mystic]

Dappleflower
^{None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm}

Dappleflower smiled a little. "It is, but you've nothing to fear from him so long as you follow the code and live with dignity." She mewed. "Maybe I'll tell another story."


"In the time of the great clans, a leader of Lionclan lay sleeping. He was a mighty lion, and king of all beasts. While he slept, a mouse ran across his paws and woke him up. The lion was most displeased and grabbed the mouse in his claws.

'I should kill you' he roared. 'For you have woken me foolish little mouse'

Now this was a time when all animals could talk to one another, so the mouse replied.

'your majesty, I am sorry. I did not mean to wake you, but if you release me, I could do you good one day'

The lion laughed, but being of good nature, let the mouse go. Now some time passed and the lion was caught in a two leg trap. His roars were head thoughout the forest and the mouse heard and came running to him. She chewed though the vines that held him and freed him from certain death.

When free the lion looked to the mouse. 'I never believed you could save me, but you have' he roared. 'Thank you'"

Dappleflower paused then finished up with the moral. "Remember, Even the weak and small may be of help to those much mightier than themselves."

[Deleted]

Reedkit padded cautiously over just in time to hear the end of the story of Bloodfang. He shuddered with fear, padding close over to Thornpaw and settling himself beside the apprentice. His eyes were are wide as the sun and the moon, or so he thought.

"H-he sounds like a scary cat, Dappleflower," he mewed softly, looking around as though this terrifying cat was standing in the clearing. "But imagine if he was a good cat! ThunderClan could be the greatest Clan in the forest... not that we aren't already." He paused for a few seconds to think. But we could be even greater!" he mewed, amazed. "But will he reaaaaalllllyyyyy eat us if we don't obey our mothers?" he asked, looking up at the elder out of trusting eyes. "I really hope not..." He glanced at Thornpaw.

[mystic]

-Closed and dead-