The Sakura Blossom

  ~Anime Images are from Google, some images are from the anime series Clannad~

    I stand on top of a high hill, over looking pretty much my entire town, the other half almost cut into pieces by low clouds covering the sky. My long brown hair lapping at my back as the wind pulsates against my face. Every detail up here always seemed so...vivid and revealing, like it knew I was here. Green eyes flashing, I blink, trying to figure out the feelings I've had ever since I found the necklace...My fingertips desperately grip the chain, sliding down until it reaches the ruby red heart dangling in the air as I bring it up to clearly see it. The pattern and colors haven't seemed to disappoint me yet. I'm always filled with this...this longing for something that keeps me attached to its ever-lasting beauty. The morning sun glints across the red surface of the heart stone, soon lighting it up inside and again the twisted, gentle curved metal that's tangled around it flashes. The metal is slightly jeweled in little diamonds, the ruby so transparent that the twisted design on the back is clearly reflected in neatly drawn shadows. Or was it ruby? Maybe it was some rare jewel, because to me, there's no way I'm hallucinating, no way that I'm imagining this. The tree tops give me shade once again, but the necklace, starts to glow. Glow so bright that my face lights up and little shadows form, stretching across areas of my face.
    There was no holding back. The light was like a force. A force that's growing inside me. I become covered in what seems to be a veil of warmth from head to toe, and before I know it, my senses are drawn to the other side of the hill. I have a deep wanting to get to the other side.

So I start to run...


~
   I run until my thighs ache, until my veins throb with each pounding step. But I know i'm getting closer, know that I can feel it. Racing down the other side, I smell the salty, humid air of the ocean. My favorite place to doze off whenever I need to think. But today I don't plan to take naps by the sandy shores, I'm too determined...The feeling inside is too determined to let the strange instincts slide. So I stumbled on, so tired that when I finally plop down onto the soft sand, my head feels two times heavier than before. I sit there, letting myself relax no matter how far the necklace tries to push me farther. Seeing that I refuse to budge, it decides to vibrate slightly under my shirt instead, making sure that I know its there. 'I think it has a mind of it's own' My mind whirls with thoughts before I finally heave myself off and brush off the grains of sand that stick to my shorts.
   A figure far out across the sandy beach catches my attention. Completely overwhelmed with the site, I cough after feeling my heart thudding inside my chest, the rhythmic vibrations caught up in my throat. It was a young boy, the dark morning clouds above seemed to hide any of his identity to me. I became disappointed, my necklace making me take a step closer, and then another after another until I'm only a couple feet away. Something about seeing his blueish hair and sparking blue eyes made my heart skip a beat. And especially when he looked my way...It was like I began to panic. His gaze penetrated mine, and I felt warm, my face reddening and heart pounding, I managed to slightly lift my hand and curve my fingers once or twice in a tiny wave. The necklace now seemed to be humming a tune, the vibrations no longer itchy and uncomfortable, but soft, like a pillow. And I couldn't help but smile when he returned the gesture.


~
   I close my eyes, trying to determine how much of this is truly real. As I open my eyes again, the wind blows sand across my flip-flops. Again, I look up at the young boy, gasping inside to keep my reactions hidden as he walks my way. As much as the necklace pulls me closer, and gives me a deep yearning to get closer, I pull back. The strange feelings are too much for me. I take one step back at a time, and the boy notices. So he calls to me...
   "Are you alright?" His voice clouds my senses until I can no longer hear the ocean waves crashing, or the seagulls gliding through the air. For that split moment, all I hear is his voice. It rings through my ears and echoes in the sweetest tune. He looks at me closer, and I can tell he thinks the same about me as I answer him,
   "Y-yeah...I'm fine..." I whisper. I watch as his eyes go wide, and he stares at me, looking me over and searching for...something.



   I watch, dazed as he reaches into his pocket and reveals a small chain with an exact replica of the jeweled heart hanging from my necklace. We stare at each other, the wind sweeping across us like a captivating hug, filling us both with a need to get closer. But we don't budge, and I can tell that he's just as confused as I am. I gulp when he breaks the silence, his voice so soft it fills my chest with complete warmth,
   "What's your name?" he asks, his eyes never leaving mine.
   "Ebani" My voice comes in a nervous rasp, trying to contain everything inside, although the necklace dares me to reveal it. I refuse.
   "I'm Ryuji" I can tell his heart is beating a mile a minute, but he finds the strength to raise his hand in greeting. 'What will his touch be like?' I thought, glancing down at the necklace to try and figure out if it would answer my question, but it stayed still. It knew I was close, heck, I knew I was close! 'Close to what exactly? The feeling I've had for a couple weeks? Was this boy behind all of that?' My thoughts jumped around inside my head, and I reached out my hand after noticing I might've been keeping him too long. I tilt over a bit, just enough to where we clasp our palms together. And instantly, our sight goes black.    


~
Our hands slip from each other's grasp and it feels like we're falling...falling deeper in blackness. The only thing visible to us is each other's eyes, and they're filled with tears. We can't get to one another, and now we're stuck, falling in a horrible pit of darkness as my heart plummets painfully in such yearning to be wrapped in his arms...He reaches toward me with his hand, and I do the same. Our hands tremble as we stretch father and farther to get to one another before our fingertips finally touch. 


My back is hot, and the sand underneath me shifts to the shape of my body like a blanket. I gasp, breathing the air around me as my eyes flip open immediately. Relief surges through my muscles as I see the blue ocean sky and clouds dotting the blue atmosphere in calm serenity. I suddenly sit up, heart racing before I feel Ryuji's arms against me from behind in a protective hug. I'm still as concrete, not wanting to even move an inch and just enjoy this moment before speaking up,
   "Wh-what are you doing?" I croak, tilting my head up to look into his eyes, questioning how things could be going so fast. I notice my necklace tingling, and humming even stronger once more. My spirits drop once he removes one of his arms until he brings out his charm and holds it against my chest where my own charm lays. I can hear the roughness of his breathing, and now notice the change in mine as well as I gape at the glow the two charms make. The nurturing light sends a warm, liquid type feeling through my veins and once it starts to fade, I see that both of our jewels have combined, and once the light has completely disappeared, our charms have turned into two little ones hanging off one chain. Our breathing calms down and we sit there, his one arm carefully splayed over me. My eyes travel down to look at the sand,
    "....What was that?" My voice quivers, beginning to remember the darkness, and the feeling of wrestling against the current of air rushing by my face. Before I notice him moving, his fingers are already rubbing against my poor half-hearted jewel. Before I know it, my whole face tingles in warmth, and he feels it to, looking straight at me from gazing at my necklace, which I still haven't even found out why he's been doing that.
   "They came together as one...one small heart on each of our chains is my part, and the other is yours. They have pairs now." Ryuji says, his arm wrapped around me becoming snug, like it was meant to be there. I stare at him, wondering if he knew about me and his own charm's loving pull before I did.
   "I-......Do you even know what's going on?" I ask him, squirming a bit, not sure how I could be comfortable with where we are now when I've never even met him before. He sighs and moves his arm away.
   "Not as much as you think..." Ryuji confesses, moving his head towards the ocean and nervously watching the waves, unsure of what to say. With my back to him, and legs still out in front of me, I bring them up against me, hugging my legs and sitting my head on one of my knees, eyes half open in thought. My green eyes  flash in worry, remembering home and what time I was supposed to be back. The sun was far above the horizon, and usually mother let me stay out 'till dusk. As far as I knew, time wasn't something to be worrying about right now.

~
Silence had taken over us for a good thirty minutes before I spoke up,
   "So...What do you know about all of this?" I twist my body around to face him, hair falling against the side of my face from behind my ears where it had been tucked. He opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out until he looks at me and his gaze wavers to my eyes.
   "Well...I-I know where the necklaces came from...And..."
   "You know where yours came from?, " I gasp, blushing to show that I was sorry for interrupting before I continue, "Can you show me?" Ryuji smiles and tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear again before cringing back, and I know he didn't even realize what he had just done until now. He sighs,
   "You've already been there." he nods. I wrack my brain a bit, trying to remember...

"Why don't you go up to the blossom tree? It's in full bloom for this summer, and I'm sure it'd like some company" My mother tells me.
   "How can a blossom tree love company?" I laugh good heartedly. 
   "You'd be surprised" My mother smiles, not looking up from flipping pancakes as I chew on mine. I look at her closely, wondering what she's thinking before agreeing,
   "OK, mom, I'll go out after breakfast" I say, giving in. When mother wanted me to do something, I knew it was for a good reason. Once I finish eating, I get up, wash my plate and head for the door-
   "Ebani, wait! You can't forget to water it" Mom comes up to me with a full water can, the container bejeweled in such exquisite blue and pink marbles and my eyes light up, tracing the pattern they make and giggle discovering it to be a blossom tree. Mom laughs and hands it to me, I take it carefully from underneath before grabbing it with one had, noticing my mom's special charm bracelet. It seemed shinier today, but I shrug it off, 
    "I'm going to go visit Mizu after I water it, mother, so I'll be back around noon" I inform her, but once again as I open the screen door, mother grasps my hand and whispers in my ear,
     "Water it with hearts" I look at her and wave her away, "I know mom, you already told me!" 
     "Don't forget" She implies. I just nod and roll my eyes playfully and laugh, finally making my way out into the fresh air. I lift up my arms to the side, the fresh wind grazing over my skirt as it's ruffles twist and turn. I smile, making my way up the tree. I still couldn't tell why mother wanted me to water it, it was huge! I take in the scent of the pure pink blossoms and even snap off some flowers from a low branch, the petals so soft and the unique cinnamon scent was warm. I let the flowers fly gently to the ground, their colors so elegant on top of the grass. Quickly grabbing my watering can, I let a nice flow off water drop around the tree in the shape of a heart, then carefully filling inside the heart and at the base of the tree with water. It was a perfect touch to the tree's beauty and I sighed, not yet being able to believe that my family had owned this blossom tree for centuries. 
     "Wait, what is that?" A closed bud catches my attention. The branch it's connected to was the same one I had pulled off the flowers. I broke off the bud, noticing another one right beside it, but instead I ignore it. Caressing the bud in my fingers, I frown, wondering why it hadn't bloomed like the others. The sun suspiciously moves over the tree, the rays breaking their way through the blossom tree's overlapping branches before landing on the bud in my hands. My fingers aglow in the suns light, I watch the bud twitch and softly open, each petal spreading out in their own direction to reveal a beautiful necklace...The charm exquisite...





I look at Ryuji with sensitive eyes,
   "You...You mean to tell me that you visited that same tree? My family's tree?" I gape, observant of his gentle chuckle and the look he gives me,
   "I was drawn to it, and I noticed the very same kind of bud" he nods, looking down at my hand holding me up right at an angular position. He ran his own hand over mine, but I don't cringe or move away, just keep observing him as he speaks,
   "You plucked the closed bud that was beside the one I snatched, and I experienced what you did". I start to notice how my hand goes numb to every feeling around me but his hand laying over mine. I gulp, trying to speak out,
   "So...You know where they came from and so do I...but do you know why or what caused it?" Without thinking, I flip my hand over and hold his, not paying any attention to what I just did. Ryuji just shakes his head, "No, I'm sorry, I don't know any of that..."
   "Th-then, what was the other thing you were going to say earlier that you knew?"
I must've hit a nerve, because I could feel him tense up and that's when I noticed us holding hands. I try to shrink away, and he knows I feel uneasy, so he lets go only to reach for my hand, and pull me closer.
   "For some reason, Ebani, the only other thing I know is that I Love You".
~
And that's finally when we both can't take the suffering anymore, can't take that ever since we laid ours eyes on each other, that we've been pulling back the feeling that emanates from our precious stones.
We lean closer and closer, until our lips finally meet in a quick, sweet kiss...
So sweet, that we now know that it won't matter how much we fight against the gems that hang from our chains...He loves me, and I love him.

Dusk finally falls, and Ryuji and me are peacefully asleep. I stay there, cuddled up beside him on the sandy beach, and I know he's still asleep...but I have to leave! I hated to disturb his rest, knowing he's finally found me. Found the person that keeps his necklace at bay from all the mixed up emotions that swirl inside his head when I'm gone. And I feel those exact same things as well, but what can I say? Mother would never understand. I shiver at the thought of her finding out that I never came home when I was supposed to. Knowing I'd be grounded for who knows how long, it just makes my heart shrink even more. Shifting sideways on my side to face him, I whisper his name.
   "Ryuji," He still doesn't wake, so I shake his arm, "Ryuji!" Finally! He pops one eye open, smiling when he sees me. But I look away, and know he won't be too happy once I tell him I have to go.
   "Ryuji, I-...I have to go home now..." I speak softly. He sits up so fast, I move back a bit and his eyes seek mine with such sadness, the ache in my chest is back. "I'm so sorry...I'll be grounded for months if I'm not home on time," I tell him, "Just look at it this way. If I'm grounded, I won't be able to come out to see you."
   "I know," He sighs, "At least let me walk home with you. My house is over the hill as well" he nods, hoping I'll go through with the idea. I just laugh, how can I not! I nod my head, and we get up, his arm poking out beside him. I slip my arm through his and we walk side by side to the top, and I notice we have a bit more time. Ryuji looks my way, "I wish we could stay" he confesses, and he knows that I wish the same.
   "We'll have better days" I promise, hugging him tight before he lets go of my arm. I rush down the hill, my necklace practically choking me, forcing me to go back.
   "Quit!" I pull it back to my chest and hold it there before stopping to look back. Ryuji still stood at the top.
Our gazes pierced one another, and I've no doubt of what he says when his lips move. I return my thoughts to home, disappearing in the darkness at the bottom where the sun finally sets behind the horizon.

My only guide home was the light from my charm, flickering in sorrow. I cooed it gently,
   "I feel it to."

I head into the house, the screen door creaking slightly as I open it. I find mom in the kitchen, placing dinner on the table.
   "Your just in time, Ebani, I'm glad you got here when you were supposed to" she gave me a look that convinced me she had thought I'd be late for once!
   "Aw, come on, mom, I'm a minute too late," I tell her, smelling the food and being drawn to the table, sitting down, "It smells so good" I tell her, at least trying to get on her good side just in case she tries to go off on me later. But she waves me a way with a glint of humor in her eyes, and then I know I'm off the hook.

After finishing up, I head upstairs to my room. I change, brush my teeth and lay on top of the covers on my bed, thoughts of Ryuji making my necklace hum.
   "I wonder where he lives" I say to myself, sitting up to look out the window. "Strange. The neighbors haven't been out since they moved in..." I said, seeing the lights on in their house, the glare seeping into my room. I yawn, mouth widening and closing with complete exhaustion. Scanning outside, then scanning my room, trying to remember what else there is to do before going to sleep. I forgot to say goodnight to mom and  dad, but I shake it off, I'm too tired to get up. Curling up under the covers, and letting the relaxing feel of my soft pillow send me off into a deep sleep..
~

 The sun shined in my eyes as I cringed, feeling a hand shaking my shoulder lightly. My eyes flew open as my necklace hummed. 'There's no way...!' I sat up so fast I gave myself a headache and I rubbed my temple, going still when I saw Ryuji smiling at me. I wanted to scream, but instead I covered my mouth and stood up beside him,
   "What...When...How did you get in my room?!" I gaped as he laughed, handing me a small rose.
   "I live next door," again my heart skipped a beat, "So I thought I'd surpise you". He nodded, proud of himself. 'Do my parents knows he's in here?' I was having a small heart attack on the inside...I wondered if he could tell when he answered me like he knew what I was thinking.
   "Don't worry, Ebani. Your mom let me right in...Starred at me for a couple of seconds before," He paused, going back to the moment and chuckling, how I loved that laugh,"It's alright, they know I'm up here."
   I didn't know whether to be thankful for that, or know I'm soon to be embarrased!






~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Live Life (Poem)

Live Life


Lay in the fields of meadows,
Breath nature's fresh air.
Remember to keep your eyes open,
Although there's plenty of sights to share.
Dance to the beat of your favorite songs,
Even when someone is there.
Love and cherish every great moment,
It's not like we're here forever. 
Laugh 'till your sides hurt,
Tear up here and there.
Because life's greatest memories,
Are the days you open up an finally start to care ^.-

Battling the Depths-A warrior cats Fan Fiction

                

                                    Battling the Depths

                            Characters: 

ThunderClan                                                                 RiverClan

Leader: Sorrelstar                                                          Leader: Mistystar

Deputy: Smokefall                                                        Deputy: Cinderleaf

Medicine Cat: Destinyshine   

App: Echopaw                                                           Medicine Cat: Littlesun

Warriors                                                                         App: Lakepaw

 -SwiftShadow                                       

 App: Pebblepaw                                                                                     Warriors

- Blackspark                                                              -Mothflight

App: Sunpaw                                                             App: Reedpaw

-Hazelwing                                                                      -Snowbound

 App: Silentpaw                                                                                      App: Icepaw

- Whitegaze

App: Jaypaw                                                                     - Geckofoot  

                                                                                             -OtterStream    

- Berryfur 

- Lionstorm

App: Graypaw

-  Bramblewind                                                            -Rushwhisker

App: Stormpaw

Elders:                                                                               Elders:

- Brackenheart                                                                   -Mallowtail

                                                                                            -Swallowfur

Queens:                                                                             Queens:

-Windtalon  (Blackspark)                                                     -Fawnheart

Kits: Graykit, Pebblekit, Echokit                           Kits: (Kinkpaw, Reedpaw)

-Meadowtuft  (Berryfur)                                                            -Rosesand

Kits: Stormkit, Silentkit (Silentstep)                                Kits: Cottonkit, Shardkit

ShadowClan                                                                                   WindClan

Leader: Russetstar                                                                          Leader: Swiftstar

Deputy:  Briarclaw                                                                        Deputy: Brindletooth

Medicine Cat:  Mooncloud                                                   Medicine Cat: Tawnybird

 App: Shimmerpaw        

Warriors:                                                                                       Warriors:

- Treeblaze                                                                                         -Hollowtail

App: Rainpaw                                                                               App: Wavepaw

-  Pinkfur                                                                                           - Snowdrift

                                                                                                          App: Burrowpaw

-Mosspool                                                                                         -Thorntail

App: Mistpaw

- Stealthstripe                                                                                    -Tallfoot

                                                                                                           App: Kinkpaw

Queen(s):                                                                                  Queen(s):

-Brightice     (Stealthstripe)                                      -Skylight

Kits: Dreamkit, Rainkit, Vinekit                Kits: (Wavepaw, Burrowpaw, Kinkpaw)

 -Cloudvein (Treegaze)

  Kits: (Shimmerpaw, Mistpaw)

  

Elders:                                                                             Elders:

- Mousekink                                                            Shallowshine

  Battling the Depths

     Pebblekit opened one eye, letting the morning smell of leaf-bare waft around her nose. She let out a reluctant huff. "Momma, why did leaf-bare have to come so early!" she complained, lifting her head. Windtalon smiled and laughed, licking her daughter's head to soften the anger that shown through her unkept fur. 

     "The seasons and it's changes are Starclan's giving's. With good seasons that are plentiful, like green-leaf, there comes bad as well", she explained. Pebblekit frowned, some times she seemed to think Starclan was mouse brained. Windtalon nudged her kit, "Go share tongues with the others, let your brother and sister rest." Pebblekit let out a silent laugh. Her brother, Graykit was splayed across Ivypaw, his paw practically laying over her nose.

     Windtalon just smiled, "Go on." Pebblekit carefully made her way over her brother and sister, with each step, her paws made no sound. Pebblekit was proud of herself! At this rate, she'd be the greatest stalker in the clan!

     'Stop daydreaming and get over us already" Echokit grumbled, stretching out her neck to yawn and curling back up with her brother. "Ok, ok!" She leaped out of the nursery, looking over at her clan sharing tongues. Pebblekit spotted Whitegaze and Bramblewind grooming each other under the Highrock. Their activities had become very suspicious lately. Stormkit came out of nowhere, bowling her over in a heap of snow and grass. Instinctively, she batted his belly with her hind legs and twisted her body, slipping out of his grip and facing him.

     "You call that sharing tongues?!" Pebblekit laughed, lunging at him.

     "Sure, why not!" Stormkit chuckled, dodging her attack. Pebblekit grasped his ear lightly with her jaws, and climbed on top of him with sheathed claws. "Hey!" He said before collapsing onto his belly under her weight. "What have you been eating?"

     "Oh, be quiet you" she giggled.

     "You both should be quiet," Berryfur informed them, grabbing Stormkit by the scruff and sitting him up, "This isn't play time." Stormkit's ears lied flat against his head, "Sorry, Berryfur..." A playful glint in his eye was still shown as he glanced at Pebblekit. Berryfur noticed and batted his ear in a fatherly way, "Now go find someone to share tongues with, I'm going to visit your mother" he purred. Once Berryfur had padded away, Stormkit looked to Pebblekit and shrugged, flicking his tail for her to follow. Pebblekit watched as the sun reflected off of his bluish gray fur. He led her to a spot where the snow was shallow and began digging the snow away from the spot. Pebblekit decided to join in, guessing he wanted to share tongues with her here. She smiled with delight as they finally settled down next to each other. She groomed his neck fur while he licked her ears, the hairs on his tongue rough, but comfortable.

     "Flirting, anyone?" Echokit's voice sounded behind them. Pebblekit gave her sister the 'go away, I'm busy' look, and she instantly crouched to laugh, but turned and bounded away. Pebblekit blushed, "Sorry about that"

     "It's fine" Stormkit shrugged and continued grooming her. Pebblekit purred in relaxation. The passed couple days had been hard for the warriors. Patrols were constantly being taken out for hunting, and checking scent markers for any clans looking for more hunting grounds. "We'll be apprentices soon." Stormkit's voice brought her back. Pebblekit's blue eyes turned icy with excitement, "We sure will, I can't wait to learn some battle moves and take down a Windclan warrior!" she exclaimed, her tail tip twitching madly.

     "Windclan isn't to be worrying about it sounds," his gaze had averted towards Sorrelstar, Smokefall, Hazelwing, Lionstorm, and Swiftshadow.

     Swiftshadow

Pebblekit breathed. Stormkit looked at her in awkward silence. "Sorry..." Pebblekit whispered. Swiftshadow was her favorite warrior! Brave, one of the best fighters and hunters. Always put her clan before herself...'I bet Starclan is very proud of her...' she thought.

     "Shadowclan scents? Near the Old Oaks?!" Sorrelstar's voice was heard from both Pebblekit and Stormkit. She hadn't realized that they were the two cats closest to the leader and her patrol. "We detected the scent of Briarclaw, Pinkfur and Mooncloud," Hazelwing reported.

      "Mooncloud?" the leader's fur bristled, "Are you sure it was Mooncloud?" Sorrelstar asked. Lionstorm nodded. Smokefall looked towards Swiftshadow for answers, but the senior warrior just flicked her tail to Hazelwing. "What would Shadowclan be doing with their deputy and medicine cat inside our borders?"

     "Maybe they were trying to come and talk to us" Lionstorm suggested.

     "Then why wouldn't Russetstar be with them?" Swiftshadow challenged. Sorrelstar just blinked, turning her head to Stormkit and Pebblekit who she just noticed were watching. She frowned, "Smokefall, take these two back to the nursery," Sorrelstar then turned to Lionstorm, "You've been working hard today, rest and bring Blackspark over. Swiftshadow, lead another patrol to inspect the area." The Thunder leader spun around and padded back into her den, ears flicking with thought. Smokefall came over to Pebblekit and Stormkit and began guiding them to the nursery with his tail.

    "Smoketail, is there gonna be a battle?" Stormkit asked excitedly, not recognizing Pebblekit's prickling pelt beside him. She hesitated a moment, but then realized this could be her chance to watch the warriors in action!

     "If they do can we come and watch!" Her eyes sparkled.

     "Look," he told the kits, stopping at the nursery entrance, "This is no time to be asking questions, we're very busy at the moment. Shadowclan have been snooping around for days, and of course we wouldn't let you come and watch! A battle ground is no place for kits to be!" Smoketail eyed Pebblekit, astonished that she'd asked that question. Pebblekit felt embarrassed. With her tail dragging on the ground, she slunk into the nursery to find Berryfur with Meadowtuft. Pebblekit jumped as she felt Stormkit's pelt rub against hers as he squeezed into the den and passed her, flopping in between his parents.

     "There's gonna be a battle with Shadowclan!" he announced.

     "What!," Windtalon exclaimed with a jump, "Where did u here this?" she turned to her kit, whispering so as to not wake Pebblekit's littermates.

     "Pebblekit and I were sharing tongues by the Highrock..." Stormkit started.

     "And we over heard Lionstorm's patrol saying that their had been a lot of scents concerning Shadowclan on the borders at the Old Oaks and..."

 The three cats looked at each other, Meadowtuft nodded to Berryfur and they both rummaged their way out and into the clearing to figure out what was going on. Pebblekit looked towards her mother, "Oh...and...Blackspark is leading a patrol to investigate the area some more." Windtalon seemed quite calm at that fact, but she sighed, looking towards all of the kits in the nursery and back to Meadowtuft, "As long as he's just investigating and not suddenly fighting at the moment, that's fine dear," She flicked her tail, "Now come over here and wake up these two lazy squirrels," she chuckled. Stormkit and her exchanged mischievous glances at their sleeping kin. Pebblekit jumped and toppled over Echokit and Graykit, their surprised squeaks hurting her sensitive ears. But she didn't care. She was laughing so hard as Stormkit tickled Silentkit's nose with a feather from the bedding.

     "Hey!" she mewled, batting her brother away, "What was that for?"

     "It's time to wake up!" He told her, lunging at her. But as quick as a fox, she silently stepped aside and Stormkit landed face first into his mothers bedding.

     "They don't call her Silentkit for nothing!" Echokit purred, "You should know that by now, Stormkit" Graykit looked up at Windtalon with a questioning look.

     "Why isn't Meadowtuft in here?" he asked. "Yeah!" Echokit was puzzled as she just now noticed. Silentkit collapsed over her wobbly legs, "Where IS Meadowtuft?!" Stormkit rolled his eyes.

     "Don't start having an anxiety attack again," he told her after explaining what him and Pebblekit had witnessed, "Should I get Destinyshine now or later?" he laughed, eyes shining in sarcasm. Silentkit began rolling around, eyes burning with pricks of pain. "NOW!" she said. Windtalon bolted out of her nest and headed to Silentkit right away.

Pebblekit gasped.

Thorns

"Who puts thorns in bedding?!" Pebblekit screeched, seeing her littermate's legs seeping with blood from several thorns that seemed to have buried themselves in her flesh. Graykit was out of the nursery in a flash, his little legs pelting across the clearing to the medicine cat den right away.

     "Calm down, Silentkit, it's not that bad," Windtalon shushed her.

     "But I'm bleeding!" Silentkit whimpered, lifting one of her legs to examine three thorns that hurt like a bee sting. Destinyshine and Graykit burst into the den, Destinyshine carrying a bundle of herbs in her mouth. The medicine cat tilted her head after grabbing Silentkit by the scruff and placing her in a thorn-clear area.

     "No, Windtalon is right. It's just a few drops of blood" Destinyshine started on her wounds, gently pulling out the thorns, one by one and piling them away from the nests. Once she was done, and successfully fed her two poppy seeds and lathered her small wounds with marigold, Silentkit was back on her feet.

     "By the way, Silentkit how did thorns make you fall on your face? Did they really hurt that bad?" Graykit asked. Windtalon cuffed his ear, "Be nice".

      "I was just asking!" he complained, padding over to stand next to Pebblekit and Echokit. Silentkit shook her head.

       "No, but what little pain there was took my by surprise, that's all"

       "We're glad your alright...but I'll start removing any more thorns that I find" Windtalon informed.

     "Thanks" she breathed. Pebblekit pounced of the dens, just in time to see a large patrol heading towards the camp entrance.

     "There's no way in Starclan's right mind that that's a hunting or border patrol..." Stormkit whispered, coming up beside her along with Echokit.

      "No way," Echokit gasped, "They're headed out for battle!"

Graykit and Silentkit raced out with them, jaws dropping in panic. "What are we going to do!" Echokit squealed.

    "Nothing, mouse brain! We're kits, we can't do anything but shield ourselves in our stupid dens" Stormkit huffed. Graykit came up to Pebblekit and began nudging her back into the nursery, but she wouldn't budge.

     "Pebblekit!," Silentkit called to her, "Come on, your mother is calling us back inside! Quick!"

Pebblekit still wouldn't move. Neither would Stormkit. Both of their mothers were back in the nursery, yowling at them to get their hindquarters in the dens. The two littermates glanced at one another, and before their brothers and sisters

knew it, they were already through the dirt place tunnel and into Thunderclan territory.

     "Let's find our way to the patrol! I'm tired of hiding while the warriors do all of the work!" Pebblekit growled. "Your not the only one," Stormkit hissed, "Come on, let's go this way and follow the patrol's scent...Wait," he stopped, "Whose scent are you best at familiarizing?"

     Pebblekit smiled. "Swiftshadow's"

   "I'm best at Whitegaze" he told her.

   "Whitegaze? Why her?"

   "She's friends with Windtalon and Meadowtuft, I scent her lingering smell every once in awhile in the nursery."

  "Haha, alright," Pebblekit agreed, "Let's stop the jibber jabber and find the patrol!"

   Stalking side by side, it wasn't long until each of them detected their chosen cats. They met eye contact and hid in the bushes, watching the patrol pass by before one cat suddenly stopped. It was Hazelwing!

     "Smell that?" Hazelwing called to Bramblewind. The strong shouldered tom walked up beside Hazelwing.

    "Smells like two kits who need to head back to their nursery before a couple of warriors find them. Their apprenticeship could easily be delayed if Sorrelstar ever found out" the young tom spoke to the brown tabby she-cat beside him. Pebblekit and Stormkit gulped, meeting eye contact and rushing back to the dirtplace tunnel.

     "I'm sorry, Pebblekit, but nothing is worth more to me right now then becoming an apprentice." Stormkit admitted.  "Same here...I still wish we could snoop in on it all" She pouted.

     "Hey, look on the bright side!," Stormkit said, running his grayish tail under her chin, one of the warriors are sure to tell Brackenheart! I bet she'll tell us afterwards." He grinned, scooting her silently into the clearing. "Let's slink back into the nursery, maybe we'll get less punishment if we do..."

     "I doubt that" she laughed. "It's worth a shot" he shrugged. Pebblekit nodded in agreement. The two littermates padded on hushed paws into the nursery, only to be met by two enraged queens. Each were grabbed by the scruff and plopped on the bedding next to their siblings.

     "You two are in big trouble tomorrow morning" Meadowtuft scolded. Pebblekit heard Stormkit sigh and respond to his mother, "We know we are...just please don't tell Sorrelstar..."

Pebblekit tried hiding herself from her own mother by squirming underneath Graykit who purred. But Windtalon let out a slow breath of air.

    "Why would we tell Sorrelstar something that would delay your apprentice ceremony for days instead of tomorrow?"

     The whole nursery seemed to light up and the air felt exhilarating. Pebblekit felt her littermates excitement like a thorn tickling her pelt...

"And last but not least, Pebblekit, do you promise to train and work hard to become a strong warrior for the protection of your clan?" Sorrelstar asked her as they both sad tall and proud on top of the Highrock.

    "I do" Pebblekit shook with pleasure.

    "Then from this day on, until you have received your warrior name, you shall be known as Pebblepaw. Swiftshadow, I know that you will give this apprentice great wisdom and strength and teach her all you know."  The light brown she cat dipped her head, "I will, Sorrelstar".

     "Pebblepaw! Pebblepaw! Pebblepaw!" her clanmates shouted below. As they bellowed her name, she padded over and touched noses with her mentor. Silentpaw had received Hazelwing, Stormpaw was paired with Bramblewind, Graypaw earned Lionstorm...but Echokit refused to be given a mentor...

     "I'll be taking the roll as a fill in for medicine cat apprentice...I think that may be the path I'd like to take" Echokit apologized to Sorrelstar for the misunderstanding.

     "No, young one, you are quite fine. The path of a medicine cat is a great one. Destinyshine will gladly take  you in so that you can make your final decision by nightfall tomorrow"

    Destinyshine nodded in agreement and Echokit met her gaze with happiness...

Pebblepaw congratulated her sister. But she still couldn't believe that this is what she wanted...

     "Pebblepaw? Are you alright? Are you unhappy with the choice that I made?" Echokit sounded worried. She didn't want that.

     "Not at all! Your my sister, if you're happy I'm happy. I'll always support you in the great choices you'll make..." Pebblepaw touched muzzles with her.

     "Thanks, Pebblepaw..." She nodded her head in thanks before twisting around and heading into the medicine cat den to start her new job and finally be able to make her life's decision. Stormpaw streamed past her, meeting her gaze and smiling before teaming up with Bramblewind and disappearing through the bramble entrance.

      'Just made an apprentice and he's already out with his mentor...I wonder what Swiftshadow is up to' She thought, padding towards the warriors den. She poked her head in,

     "Swiftshadow?" she whispered, spotting her sand brown pelt. The warrior opened her eyes and a glint of green blazed on Pebblepaw's pelt.

"Yes, Pebblepaw?" the senior warrior yawned. Pebblepaw scooted her way in after seeing that only a couple warriors were laying in to rest.

    "I-I was just wondering...When will our first session of training be? Stormpaw and Bramblewind have already gone out to start their training". She felt like a kit again, complaining on first hand about something she hasn't gotten to do yet. 'How embarrassing!' her pelt began to burn. Swiftshadow smiled and looked at her apprentice with slight laughter,

     "Very soon, young one. I was out all day yesterday and fought in the battle. I'm sorry if that disappoints you, but I need to rest" Her eyes were glazed in sleep.

The battle!

Pebblepaw jumped to her paws, "Oh please tell me about it! Did you get any wounds?" the young apprentice tried to stay quiet, searching Swiftshadow's pelt to answer her question. Swiftshadow hulled herself up and nosed Pebblepaw out of the den,

    "Go find Brackenheart. She practically begged about the story as well, and Whitegaze gladly told her. I'm sure she is itching from head to tail tip to tell someone." the warrior yawned. Pebblepaw's eyes lit up in anticipation, bounding over to the elders den to find Brackenheart chewing on a rather skinny mouse. The elder's eyes met hers and she purred in delight,

    "I knew you'd come to hear about the battle."

    "You bet I would!" Pebblepaw smiled, plopping down beside Brackenheart outside of the elder's den and starring at her with huge eyes, that she started the story right away...

     Swiftshadow scanned the battle clearing once they arrived, the combat patrol was there before them. Her tail  was flat on the ground and her ears were laid back. The dark gray tom, Stealthstripe moved in on her, but she scented him before he was even a fox-length away. Lunging, she bowled the tom over, scraping at his belly his her hind legs. She bit his ear, and blood seeped from the wound. Stealthstripe flipped her over and off, but she was up before him. With one swift move, she flanked his side, paw outstretched as she hit the warrior's back tendon, and watched him collapsed under his weight. Swiftshadow let out a victory yowl and left him there; stunned.

     Moving to the next warrior, she spotted Hazelwing and Treeblaze battling roughly near a tree. Several times she had noticed that Treeblaze had been thrusting her Clanmates into the trunk. A growl rose in her throat and she lashed her tail, wiggling her hindquarters to prepare for a fight. But Russetstar's voice rang over the battle.

    "Shadowclan! Surrender!" Her yowl broke what seemed to be never ending growls. The Shadowclan cats yowled in defeat, racing back into the depths of their own territory.

     "That's it?" Pebblepaw's astonished mew rang throughout the den. "But...But I don't understand!"

     "It turns out what we thought was an attempted ambush to raid our boundaries, it was just Briarclaw and his other clanmates trying to cross so that they could speak with us. Russetstar wasn't there because it all boils down to Mooncloud needed Destinyshine's assistance." Brackenheart's mew became clouded in waves of grief.

     "So Russetstar is..."

     "Ill, yes. They wouldn't tell us if it was her last life or not. I'm assuming it is." Brackenheart sighed.

Brackenheart cared about Shadowclan's leader?!

The elder noticed Pebblepaw's suspicion, "Many clans do, you know. We fight to stay alive, argue to show our lack of weakness, but many cats have known Russetstar a long time and remember the great memories of her. In a way, we're all a giant clan."

     "Then why don't we become one?" Pebblepaw's voice cracked at the thought.

     "Starclan would never want that to happen. And we live by Starclan's will." Pebblepaw sighed, and placed her head on her paws starring at the soft moss,

     "I'm starting to think Starclan is a bit crazy..."

     "Nonsense! Starclan protects us, and most importantly guides us all in survival. There is much worse out there, Pebblepaw and you should be thankful for them," She looked toward the stars that began to shine through the orange glowing sky, "There are some things in this world that best left the way they are."