Somebody I used to know. [Open]

[alarm '']

s.nowstar
And your actions speak louder than your words
And you’re about to break from all you’ve heard

The sun was rich in the sky, giving way to tell-all signs that the weather was going to hold up and the impending storm would arriver later then expected. The grassy fields swayed in the gentle breeze and scatter brushes rustled in the wind as well. There was disturbance all about the territory, but the biggest was the stalking predator in the distance. The petite feline's white pelt brushes against the grass blades, the grass itself shuttering at the all to long pelt against it.

'I'm getting close.'

The thought was a thought. It was simple and easy and belonged to the petite feline, a feline that had the strong scent of tom, and the even stronger scent of being apart of one of the three clan - Heatherclan actually. The clan of justice and fairness - in two-leg terms they sound quite Hufflepuff, but that is just a stupid two-leg's perceptive. However the male feline stalking through the grass, thinking thoughts and even smelling of the famous Heatherclan, well clan, had a even stronger more known smell to him.

'I do hope no clan cats are about, more importantly Galeclan.'

Ah Galeclan, the clan that was describe as the polar opposite of Heatherclan, the clan that would pick at Heatherclan and start a fight that the clan of justice would fight to seek that the right justice would be found. The feline's ears twitched, and his scent lingered on the near by brush as he passed. Every cat would know his scent, it was programmed into their minds - he was a respectful creature, he was a mentor to all his clan. He, was a leader. Snowstar leader of Heatherclan to get the facts straight, and his known petite size and large fluffy pelt was a tell-all sign that you were being greeted by the reserve but hard-working leader.

'Here goes nothing.'

Snowstar's paws stilled at the border, his eyes casting downward as he stared out at the barren lands, lands that he and his friends had once played within, knowing the hatred between the two clans. The land his mentor and friend Tallclaw had crossed to come to Heatherclan. Snowstar's paws flexed against the ground as he stared out at the land - memories littering his mind of better times, of friendship and later heart-break.

'No.'

He shut his eyes and turned slightly, his head turned from the sight of a once land filled with those memories. He could not handle the strange feelings pulling him that way and his mask slipped, the emotions of a pained old tom slipped up and he felt the sad meow escape his maw, before he swiped angrily at his face and he turned roughly, the barren land behind him, and his tail lashing. He should of known this would happen should he return to the spot he had visited as a child, and once more as a warrior where he had gained his apprentice.

'Gingertooth...'

His head lowered and he shook himself. He began to pad away from the border, down into the longer grass. He stopped, paws inches from sinking into the golden grass blades, before turning back to look out across the lands and he swallowed, he paws carried him faster, faster the he would of liked - a possible full of sprint away from the border that brought haunting memories to his face. But he stopped, his muscles bunching as he came to a border he knew all to well, Timberclan. Titling his head slightly he started a slow pace to wards the looming border and he swallowed.

'Remain neutral.'

He closed his eyes as he neared the border, before opening them to find that his face felt normal - neutral in expression - but his paw seemed to have stepped over a well marked border. His paw shot back and he stumbled two paw steps back shaking his head. His body shivered as he knew that it was just a paw, he would speak to Stormstar about it if he found him before the next Gathering - it was a simply mistake, a lot on his mind and patrolling alone did give him time to think.

'What was that?!'

His body tense, the noise was a snapping of a twig, and his muscles tensed, preparing for an attack. Who ever it was, was down wind of him and so realizing the creature, feline, predator would be nearly impossible.

745 words. snowstar speaking. snowstar thoughts. others speaking.

[wolfie]

A very small red and black tortoiseshell ran through the glass. If any other clan saw her they would judge Heatherclan for letting a small kit run the territory. Even though she was 6 moons everyone else saw a 4 moon kit not an apprentice. She hated her size. It was her flaw, but she dealt with it. The small she-cat stopped in the middle of the grassy field to catch her breath. She flopped onto her side and rolled in the grass, just enjoying the feel of the grass on her pelt. She flashed her golden eyes to the sky and though.

Mother? Father? What did I do to you?

Hollypaw stopped the rolling and thought about her mother and father. She could remember there scents, but couldn’t remember their faces. She knew he had siblings out there somewhere, but where. She remembered another scent, but not of kin. The scent of her rescuer. He brought her here, he saved her. Who was he? She pulled herself away from her thoughts. She pushed herself onto her paws and cleaned her pelt of grass trimmings. She drew her front paw over her ears and the feathers off of her ears. She then stood onto her paws and spotted a snowy white tom.

Snowstar!

The tortoiseshell crept after the tom, probably making such a ruckus. She watched his walk the border of Galeclan territories. She watched him from a distance. What was he doing? Would he be mad if he knew she was out here alone. She stood up and stopped her creeping. She slowly padded over to Snowstar, unsure how he would react to her being out alone. Then, all the sudden he padded away. Hollypaw looked at him in confusion. Her fur spiked with fear. Was there a fox or badger around? She took after Snowstar, not having that much trouble keeping up with the clan leader. Of course he was faster. He was bigger, but she was still fast for her size and age.

She soon realized they had arrived at Timberclan border. She soon lost track of him and was still afraid of what was lurking around. She began to run and following his scent, but she wasn’t watching were she was going. Next thing she knew, she smashed right into the very cat she was looking for. She tumbled off him and was sprawled out of the grassy ground. Her eyes were wide. She looked relived to find Snowstar.
“Hello, Snowstar,” She mewed.

[alarm '']

s.nowstar
And your actions speak louder than your words
And you’re about to break from all you’ve heard

'Should they attack, use all means of defence, try to talk them out of it - and if they swipe more then three times, attack back.'

Maw parted slightly as he heard the paw steps after, his body stiffening, his body lunged forward when something came into contact with his side and he stumbled over a few paw steps. The thing that had rushed him was smaller then him - much smaller, something he was unsure about (not much was smaller then him. Maybe kits and a few apprentices, but his height was stunt.). He whirled around preparing for battle, his fluffy fur on ends and his body in a stance, when he saw the ball of fur itself in the grass not far from him.

'Hollypaw?!'

His jaws tighten into a deep frown. His eyes flickered with both curiosity and wonder. What exactly was the smaller cat doing out in the territory with out a warrior with her - or at least another apprentice. Didn't she know of the dangers that could happen with in this territory. He remembered the fox and his first life gone, now down to eight. His eyes ranked the other cat, muscles still tense from the sudden accidental attack - or run in by the looks of the other cat on the ground.

'What is she doing out of camp?'

His muscles relaxed and his fur began to lie flat as he tilted his head, the she-cat was non-other then one of his own, an apprentice, Hollypaw. His maw parted in silent wonder as to why the petite she-cat was out on her own, it was quite dangerous for someone so small- he cut himself off, remembering those exact words being sent at him as an apprentice, the she-cat was only six-moons and she looked not much older then four moons. Snowstar remembered his own training - his first moon as an apprentice, and being just a tad taller then her. His lips curled up.

"Snowstar."

"Hollypaw, what brings you out of camp?"

His mew was slow, calculating his next move. While he stood shorter then nearly every male cat in his clan and even shorter then all the she-cat warriors, his fur added some mystery to his build. He stared at the fluffy apprentice before nodding his head slightly in confusion, he did what to know why she was out of camp without a warrior, but his own apprentice days filtered through his memory of running out to visit his friends.

'I wonder how you are, Batwing and Silverclaw. Do you have kits, am I an uncle?'

His maw lifted slightly, and his eyes scanned the clearing ignoring the she-cat for a few moments as his mind travelled, dwelling on memories that made him smile a very soft secretive smile, before he shook his head. His thoughts training on his old apprentice Gingerflight.

'Goldentooth, you would be proud of your son. He has done well.'

That was when he closed his mind, locking the memories away for another day before he went back to the apprentice to badger the question out of her. His tongue flicked out between his lips and licking those lips of his he tilted his head, curious as always - for that was a nature to the feline community - was it not?

"Might I also ask what had you in such a rush that you, ran me over?"

There was nothing on his face, but his voice gave way to the small amount of a purr. He was known for being reserved, but he had seen the she-cat come to his clan, abandoned at the edge of the territory - being a new leader at the time, he accepted her into the clan and welcomed her. Parting his jaws he tasted the air, remembering the birth of many of the cats within the clan - being forty-nine moons, seeing many moons rise and many suns fall. He tilted his head once more to the left and his white ear flicked.

675 words. snowstar speaking.others speaking.snowstar thinking.

[wolfie]

Hollypaw looked up at Snowstar. She gave him a shy smile, before looking down at the grass. That was when she realized she was still sprawled out on the grass. She felt the embarrassment creep into her fur. She jumped u onto her paws and gave her pelt a shake. She sat down and looked up at the tom. He was taller than her, but he was still smaller than others. She looked up to him, he was small too. She raised her glaze back up to Snowstar.

"Hollypaw, what brings you out of camp?"

“Well, I was bored back at camp and there was nothing to do, so I wanted to run. I did not realize how far I went, until stopped to take a breather. Then, I saw you, so I was coming up to you,” Hollypaw mewed as she dug her claws into the ground. Her fur was prickling yet again with embarrassment. The she-cat was afraid now that Snowstar was going to regret taking her in to the clan. Had she disappointed him? Oh how she hoped she did not. “I’m so sorry Snowstar, I really did not mean to go this far out into the territory! I’m really really really sorry!” She apologized. If her words did not speak enough apologies it was also very clear in her eyes.

"Might I also ask what had you in such a rush that you, ran me over?"

“Well I first saw you at the Galeclan border. I was coming over to you when you took off. I though their might have been a fox or badger,” Hollypaw mewed softly, “I got scared. Then, I lost sight f you and was even more afraid, so I took off running and wasn’t looking where I was going and crashed right into you. I’m sorry I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

Was I in a lot of trouble? Would he make me be a kit again! Oh I hope not! I really don’t want to be demoted back to the nursely where I’m constantly watched.

“I really am sorry Snowstar,” She mewed sadly before dropping her head. “How much trouble am I in?”

[alarm '']

snowstar
And your actions speak louder than your words
And you’re about to break from all you’ve heard

His head was still tilted, his eyes watching the clearing, testing the scents. They were still close to the border, to close for his comfort and after he got his answers he would move them away from this border. His eyes glazed at the embarrassed she-cat. His in most thoughts were laughing, but his face remained neutral, glazing at the she-cat. She responded to his question.

"Well, I was bored back at camp and there was nothing to do, so I wanted to run. I did not realize how far I went, until stopped to take a breather. Then, I saw you, so I was coming up to you,”

He parted his jaws to speak, but his eyes went wide as he tasted the air - was that the very, very faint trace of fear. His neutral face was near crumbling as he held himself together. He was a leader for Starclan's sake, just because one of his members of his clan feared something... his head snapped back up - he hadn't realize he was pondering with his head down until she spoke again.

“I’m so sorry Snowstar, I really did not mean to go this far out into the territory! I’m really really really sorry!”

He asked her his other question, but his mind still lingered on what she had said. Sure a punishment would be order - small, maybe changing the elder's bedding, something he had done many times when he snick out without his sister. The memory made a inner part of himself smile - but his outward face was still neutral. As he part his jaws again he froze.

“Well I first saw you at the Galeclan border. I was coming over to you when you took off. I though their might have been a fox or badger,”

His head tilted more to the left - so she had stumbled across him. His body stiffen just the slightest visible as the memories filtered into his mind and he blinked away the emotions threatening to surface. The memory of his one death, known by only a few cats and the fear flickered across his face at the word fox, but he then turned back into the tom with the neutral face. He would not get lost in his memories before an apprentice. But her next words made his face turn into a soft frown.

“I got scared. Then, I lost sight f you and was even more afraid, so I took off running and wasn’t looking where I was going and crashed right into you. I’m sorry I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

He stared, just stared, his body still tense. She, hurt him. He wanted to laugh, he wanted to laugh so hard that it would bring him to tears, but he remained frowning.

“I really am sorry Snowstar, How much trouble am I in?”

He finally let a soft mew of laughter escape his parted lips. How would he play this out. He was designed as the hard-working reserved tom, who was a strong leader. But his deepest thoughts were nothing like that and Snowstar stepped closer, long fluffy white tail gently resting on the young she-cat's shoulder, a small smile - rarely seen upon his face - as he spoke, words thoroughly thought out and planned.

"You know you - and every apprentice - should not leave with out an escort, or a skilled warrior to help."

He paused staring, studying the she-cat, wondering exactly what she would think or say to this, but he continued, his jaws moving forming words to flow from his mouth. His eyes warm and full of mischief - old and nearly dead.

"However, we shall gather bedding for the elders. That should be enough of a punishment for going out into the territory alone."

He let a string of laughter slip through his lips, before he stopped.

"You do not need to apologise so much Hollypaw, you did not injure me, I would like to ask if you are all right though. You are smaller then myself."

He nodded his head, a bemused look on his face. He knew how much he had hated being smaller then everyone - but once he had, had his mentor Tallclaw he knew exactly how much his smallness could come in handy, removing his tail from the apprentice's shoulder he returned to his neutral expression and cast a wary glance back at the Timberclan border.

"Do you think it's a fitting punishment? Changing the elder's bedding? Perhaps since we are out here, we can hunt a bit.."

He grinned.

789 words. speaking.others.thoughts

[wolfie]

"You know you - and every apprentice - should not leave with out an escort, or a skilled warrior to help."

Hollypaw ears flattened to her head. She knew what she did was not very good and she was sorry for it. “I know, Snowstar,” She mewed softly. “I will not do it again, I promise!” She looked up at the older small and waited for her punishment. What would she have to do?

"However, we shall gather bedding for the elders. That should be enough of a punishment for going out into the territory alone."

She looked up at Snowstar in shock. Was that really all she had to do!? She let out a small purr of relief. She let her nerves calm herself. What a relief. All I have to do is change the bedding one time for the elders. She surely can do that. She jumped to her paws and nodded her head. She was ready to get started and show Snowstar she can do it without complaining once about having to change some sticking old used bedding.

"You do not need to apologise so much Hollypaw, you did not injure me, I would like to ask if you are all right though. You are smaller then myself."

She halted at the mention of small, but stopped. He ws small. He was not making fun of her. He was older, also, he was simply stating a fact. She let out a small grin. “Of course I’m okay! Yur all fluff!” She teased him playfully. “Plus, I‘m tough! I’m going to be the toughest warrior ever! Just you wait and see!” She let out a loud purr.

"Do you think it's a fitting punishment? Changing the elder's bedding? Perhaps since we are out here, we can hunt a bit.."

Hollypaw looked up at Snowstar and nodded. She smiled at his grin knowing he wasn’t mad at her. “I think it is very fair. I think I’m being let off to easy, actually, but you’re the leader!” She mewed honestly, “I would love to hunt, but I’m not very good at it yet.”