I could use a wish (Open)

[Yellowstar]

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?
I could really use a wish right now, wish right now.

Peace. That was what she felt as she looked out at the hills and grasses, to the forest that bordered her land and the lake that connected her Clan to the other Clans. The chilly wind- the namesake of her Clan- ruffled her fur and caused her to shiver involuntarily, remembering past years. A coating of frost on the ground brought with it memories of hard times and concern for the future. Leafbare was what they called it, when the leaves were stripped from their trees and killed by the cold, when prey was scarce and warriors were depended on to work the most for their Clan than any other time. Fernstar remembered clearly the leafbares from previous years which caused hardships and difficulty for everyone. It was that time again, and although being out here, on the open hills, breathing in the fresh, cold air calmed her, she still worried.

What would come of WindClan this leafbare? Would they survive or perish? Fernstar knew that they had survived in past years, even in the hazy time before her leadership started, but this time seemed different. Of course no cat still really cared for the warrior code- as distressed as the thought made her- and there were still senseless battles and prey-stealing. What was different this time? The fact that this time this leader was nearing the end of her time. Two lives left, two lives that could easily be lost once leafbare came in full swing. She worried for the future of her Clan after her passing. She trusted her deputy Redfang and knew he would make a good leader after her, but what would happen after she was gone? Would Redfang be an honorable leader like she hoped he would, leading the Clan for many years and possibly even under the warrior code? Or would the same fate that plagued her affect Redfang? Would he try to lead the Clan for the better or succumb like she had, only trying to survive and not seeming to care whether or not his cats break the code?

Another cold breeze stung at her eyes and made them water. Shaking her head and sweeping her tail from side to side, she aimed to keep warm despite not moving. She just stood where she was, motionless as she looked out at the gray sky and tried to catch a glimpse of the covered sun.

((Whoo, that took forever to type on the wii. Anyone is free to join, even more than one cat.))[/size]

[Heathclaw]

"If you stay out here too long like that, you'll catch your death of cold," grunted Redfang, padding up alongside his leader.

After arranging the rest of the patrols for the day, the long-furred tom thought he'd go out for a quick solo hunt. Normally, he would've brought his apprentice, Dapplepaw along, but he had her on mundane apprentice duties today. And so, he went out to bag a rabbit or two, until he caught sight of Fernstar standing out on the moor by herself.

"Problems, Fernstar? You er... you look like you've got a lot on your mind," said the long-furred cat, sitting down on his haunches and wrapping his tail around his paws. A chill leaf-bare breeze blew across the moor, but Redfang's thick pelt dulled the worst of its bite.

Of course she had a lot on her mind. Everyone did these days, even Redfang himself. He was still adjusting to the pressures of the position of deputy. On top of that, Heathkit would be an apprentice soon, and he was concerned about his grandkit's future. And to top it all off, that one cat was trying to interfere with his life again. But action solved problems, not mere pondering, and he put his problems in the back of his mind.

Another cold breeze wafted over the two of them, which made even Redfang shiver a bit. "This leaf-bare looks like it'll be a bad one," muttered Redfang gravely.

[Yellowstar]

Fernstar, so lost in her thoughts and worries, hadn't expected to hear her deputy's voice and nearly jumped as he suddenly was next to her. He was expressing concern over her being out in the cold but she merely shrugged. "I doubt a little chill will kill me that quickly," she said in an almost unconcerned tone, though her voice was still tinged with worry from her musings just a few moments ago. She should be careful with her lives, she told herself, for greencough was always a threat in leafbare. Maybe he was right. But she couldn't voice that particular worry to Redfang, after all he had no way of knowing how many lives she really had left.

But yes, she did have a lot on her mind. Another cold breeze made her shiver as it went right through her thick fur. At Redfang's last comment, she at least knew she could express her worry about that. It was something that every cat worried about. "Yes, that's what I was thinking of," she meowed, still looking out at the sky. "I know it will be hard, it always is, but I can't help worrying."

((Sorry for the bad-ish post. xD))

[Heathclaw]

"I doubt a little chill will kill me that quickly," said Fernstar. Although she'd attempted to cast the statement off as if it were nothing, Redfang caught a tinge of worry in her voice. Fernstar was certainly getting up in moons- she had been leader for as long as he could remember. Could her time be coming? Had Redfang's comment cut too close? Not for the first time, Redfang chided himself for speaking bluntly- but that was the only way he knew how. It was true, anyway. It was best to avoid the cold at this time.

He followed Fernstar's gaze into the sky, feeling distinctly and uncomfortably lethargic all of a sudden. Worrying. There was that word again. "You know, Fernstar, it's not really in my nature to worry over things. Especially when the problem can be solved by swift, decisive, action," said Redfang, uncurling his tail and dropping back onto his four paws. "In fact, this leaf-bare, I thought we should try to catch some extra prey. I'd be honored if you would hunt with me, and it would give us a chance to warm up a bit. We can pick up a couple of rabbits; nice, wholesome WindClan fare."

(No worries. It happens. ^^)

[Yellowstar]

Fernstar glanced at Redfang, intrigued by his speaking and listened quietly. He wanted to actually do something, that made sense, at least it was better than standing around worrying and not trying to do anything about it. Leafbare always brought prey shortages, but if they hunted more... there were already several hunting patrols out a day but a little more couldn't hurt. And she should brush up on her own hunting skills, if it would help she would join hunting patrols herself in order to bring back a little more food.

"Yes, hunting sounds like a good idea. Better than just standing around," She agreed, stretching in order to get her blood flowing. She hadn't been out here for long and she hadn't caught any rabbit scent, but perhaps there was more now. Opening her jaws slightly to catch and scent the breeze, sure enough she picked up the faint scent of rabbit. The moors, covered in frost, didn't look like they held much life but Fernstar noticed the creature further away at the bottom of a hill, and she pointed to it with her tail. "You can go ahead and try that one, if you want." She offered.

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[Heathclaw]

"I'm on it," said Redfang with a nod. "Cover me," he added, as he flashed down the hill towards the rabbit. As he sprang into action, he felt his worries and troubles shed off of him like drops of water. Instead, his focus was on the feeling of his paws pushing against the earth, the wind screaming past his fur, the quickened beating of his heart as he dashed after the rabbit. This was what it meant to be a WindClan cat. This was what it meant to be truly alive.

Now to catch that rabbit, and make sure that WindClan stayed alive this leaf-bare. Redfang kept pummeling on towards the fleeing rabbit making fine adjustments with each bound to ensure that he was right behind it. Just a few foxlength's away... just in reach... he pounced! And he pounced onto a patch of frosted grass- the rabbit had doubled back on him.

"Fernstar! Catch it!" he yowled, whipping around after it.

[Yellowstar]

Fernstar watched as Redfang took off with all the speed of a natural born WindClan cat, running with the ease of moons of practice as he chased after the rabbit. When was the last time she had hunted herself, she wondered? Probably not since at least greenleaf when they had been easier to catch. She supposed she should brush up on her skills and try some hunting, the Clan would need it after all. She scented the air for any other rabbits nearby, but couldn't search for other prey for too long.

Hearing Redfang's call, she whipped her gaze back toward him, seeing the ginger tom turning direction and still pelting after the rabbit, which had started bounding back the other way. It was heading back toward where the chase started and toward Fernstar. Instinctively, though she hadn't hunted in moons it seemed she still knew what to do, she took off toward it. With the two cats coming at it from either side, the rabbit didn't have many more options for escape. It turned direction again, but this time Fernstar was at its tail. She gave one great leap and managed to pounce directly on it, ending its life before it had a chance to squirm away.

By the time she stood up again she was panting and the rabbit was limp at her paws. "That was a good chase, nice job, Redfang." She looked over the rabbit, a nice size considering some of the bony, skinny ones they came across in leafbare.

[Heathclaw]

"Nice job, Redfang," said Fernstar. Nice job? Nice job indeed...

"Not quite good enough, if I'm honest with myself," replied Redfang. "It's a good thing that you were where you were, or that rabbit may have slipped out of my paws." Perhaps he ought to make sure that all the hunting patrols had at least two cats in them. It would save quite a bit of effort. He'd bring that up with Fernstar back at the camp. Not now, of course. Not when there was prey to catch.

However, it seemed that luck was against them. After their first rabbit, Redfang couldn't catch a trace of rabbit scent as they went along. And, while they were walking, another important topic of conversation came to mind. "Heathkit is going to be an apprentice soon. My apprentice's kit, I mean. Rustlepelt's kit. Have you got any mentors in mind for him?"

[Yellowstar]

She wasn't sure if she could argue with that. She had actually caught the rabbit, and maybe it wouldn't have been caught if she hadn't been there. But she let it drop and it was quiet for a while as the two cats walked and searched for any other rabbit scent in the area.

"Ah, Heathkit," she mused once she couldn't pick up any other rabbit scent and the subject of the tom kit was brought up. "I have been thinking about it. Perhaps Ratfood Ratfoot would make a good mentor. Though now that I think about it, maybe Lizardheart would be a better match for him. What do you think?"

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[Heathclaw]

Ratfoot or Lizardheart? That was certainly some question. For almost any other cat, he would certainly suggest Lizardheart without a second thought- although she was a young warrior, she was a cat after his own heart: Disciplined. Serious. Any apprentice who had her would have a bit of a tougher time, but they'd be much stronger for it. And yet... What if Heathkit couldn't take the strain, just like Rustlepelt? Perhaps...

"Ratfoot may be a better mentor, I think. His grasp on the warrior code may not be perfect, but he's a bit more of a relaxed mentor, in addition to being a competent cat. For a kit who grew up without a father, a less strenuous apprenticeship may be more in order," said Redfang, flicking his tail and nodding.

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[Yellowstar]

Fernstar was a bit surprised by Redfang's opinion on the matter of mentors, but listened nonetheless as he explained. Perhaps he was right and Heathkit could benefit more from a mentor who wouldn't be as strict with him, but then again maybe a tough mentor would give him the push he needed to become a truly great warrior. Lizardheart also seemed to have some faith in the warrior code- which was a rarity these days and gave her a few extra points- although that didn't have to be the deciding factor. Fernstar had given plenty of non code-believing warriors apprentices in the past. Redfang was the deputy, she reminded herself, so she should carefully consider his opinion even if was different than her own.

"You think Heathkit would benefit more from having a more laidback mentor?" She repeated curiously. Perhaps this decision would require more thought that she had expected.

[Heathclaw]

"I do," asserted Redfang, nodding quickly. "Rustlepelt... Rustlepelt grew up without a father- and I'm ashamed to say that he didn't take too well to my style of training. I don't want the same thing to happen with Heathkit, if it's at all possible. And, on top of that, I don't see Ratfoot as an incompetent or bad cat. It is true that Heathkit may learn more from Lizardheart, of course, although I don't know if she's ready for her first apprentice at her age."

And yet, Redfang was hating himself for making these arguments. He was holding back his grandkit's chances at success, and all because he was afraid of having Heathkit turn out like his father.