The Lion Sleeps Tonight {open}

[shadow]

A lot of cats said nighttime hunting wasn't smart, what with foxes and badgers roaming about but being nearly as big as a badger Lionheart didn't particularly fear them. Ok, he wasn't as big as a badger but he was pretty darn close. The long-furred ginger tom padded silently through the darkness with only the light of Silverpelt shining above and a nearly full moon shedding her light down to guide him. Truthfully Lionheart wasn't hunting for anything in particular, he simply wanted to be out of camp for a while and perhaps enjoy the sight of a clear night sky.

No one would believe that such a big cat was humble and enjoyed the little things in life when he could fight like a lion and scare the mind out of a kit if he got mad. A quiet, gentle soul, Lionheart had a liking for peaceful nighttime treks and stargazing. At the thought his honey-gold eyes looked upward toward the sky and he purred softly. A clear sky tonight with only a few thin clouds on the horizon and a gentle breeze combing through his fur. StarClan truly was smiling down on him tonight.

At last the big tabby reached the Drop, a steep cliff that went so far down nobody could accurately measure it. Dangerous to young kits and foolhardy apprentices, this place was safe so long as you were careful and kept away from the edge where the ground could quite possibly give way. Lionheart laid down on a sphinx-like pose and looked up at the brightly shining stars. Moonlight washed his pelt silvery-orange and stars gleamed in his honey eyes as he enjoyed the peaceful night. Flexing his claws lazily the tom contemplated hunting so he would have an excuse for being sleepy the next day but before he could really think on it, the bushes rustled. Springing to his paws the formidable tomcat whirled around, claws unsheathed and tense.

[Duskstar]

A pair of dull yellow eyes gazed into the night sky. Its dark blanket was dancing with the warriors of StarClan, as usual, but there was something else. The black she-cat's fur prickled. The moon was almost full, meaning there would be a gathering soon. "Of course it has to be the time Duskstar is the angriest with me!" The apprentice thought, long ebony tail lashing in frustration, "This is all that mousebrain Swiftriver's fault. If only I'd been given a better mentor..."

Shadowpaw slunk through StoneClan territory, claws unsheathed and glinting in the moonlight. Just yesterday had she mouthed off to her mentor and gotten into huge trouble with Duskstar. She had been bored out of her mind without training, and it was only the first day. Even Swiftriver's brisk trot didn't seem so bad now, though every time the day they explored the territory crossed her mind, her muscles seemed to scream in protest. This time instead of lashing, Shadowpaw's tail dragged on the ground behind her. All anger faded away and was replaced with sadness. The she-cat had really wanted to see the leaders of each clan, and to experience the mingled scents the older apprentices always talked about. It wasn't smart to be out a night without a warrior, especially if Shadowpaw wanted her punishment to be lifted, but of course the black she-cat hadn't thought of that when she padded through the tunnel and out of camp.

The apprentice glided past a few StoneClan hunting grounds before finally stopping at the Drop Off. It was here that the legendary Riverstar had fallen and been swooped up and saved by an eagle. Memories of stories from Streamflow, her foster mother, flowed through Shadowpaw's mind. Only now did she truly appreciate the days she had been a carefree kit. Padding toward the large drop without much thought, the black apprentice leaped over a bush in her way, too lazy to go around it, and found Lionheart staring at her like she was a badger. Panic welled in her belly. It was just her luck to find a warrior while out on a late night walk. "Great, now I'll never be able to go to the gathering..."

While staring at the ginger warrior stupidly, Shadowpaw couldn't help but think about what a better mentor Lionheart would have been. He was well respected throughout the clan, and she probably would have gotten along fine with him. But no, Duskstar had to stick his own daughter with such a crummy warrior as Swiftriver, instead of one that made StoneClan look good. Dull yellow gaze met her paws as Shadowpaw readied herself to be scolded.

[shadow]

Seeing that it was only Shadowpaw, the big tabby relaxed. His bristled fur laid flat on his bulky build and the powerful warrior's gaze softened as he relaxed. Sitting back on his haunches the long-furred tomcat gazed patiently at Shadowpaw. He'd heard that so far Shadowpaw hadn't gotten along with Swiftriver. Flicking his tail, Lionheart studied the littler she-cat's gaze. She looked ready to be scolded or yowled at. Another argument with her mentor no doubt. A fatherly figure to some and to others a role model, Lionheart was known for his gentler, more friendly ways despite being big enough to take down most cats in the clan. Size was a deceiving thing.

Sweeping his golden plume of a tail over the ground, Lionheart looked back up at Silverpelt glittering above them. "A good night for thought" he commented lightly, golden gaze turning back to Shadowpaw. "Swiftriver seemed rather unhappy today, can I ask why?" He didn't demand answers, didn't sound like he was scolding or disapproving, he simply asked, simply sounded curious, like an old friend just trying to help.

Lionheart had always had a skill with apprentices, despite never having one. It was just part of his nature to be friendly and humble, watching but not always speaking, fierce but only when protecting those he cared for. He seemed to be one big contrediction. Big cats were thought to be proud and fierce. Lionheart was fierce and friendly, not proud and far from demanding, simply respected for his nature. Right now Shadowpaw didn't look like she needed a mentor. She needed a friend that wouldn't scold her.

[Duskstar]

Shadowpaw lifted her head. The voice she heard was neither stern nor angry, but calm and friendly. The ebony apprentice relaxed slightly, tense figure uncoiling as she rested a dull yellow gaze on the much larger warrior. "Erm, yeah." Shadowpaw said, regarding Lionheart's comment on the beautiful night. "I guess so." Somehow the apprentice still didn't feel comfortable, like the warrior before her was just waiting for her to admit her mistake. A long kithood with Streamflow's strict way of life made her think she had to be perfect. If Shadowkit had returned to the den after sneaking out of camp, her foster mother would ask, "So, did you have fun?" And the she-cat knew she was in for a long next day of sitting in the nursery. This was exactly how the apprentice felt now.

Shadowpaw sat and coiled her long tail around her paws. Avoiding Lionheart's gaze she was very surprised at the next question. Why should he care about Swiftriver? Still a little cautious the she-cat stared over the warrior's shoulder and out toward ShadeClan territory, where the Drop Off fell to. In the dense forest she could make out a tree taller than the others, one that was supposedly the previous home of the eagle that saved Riverstar. The apprentice would never find out, though, as she wasn't a ShadeClan cat, but if she went to the gathering, maybe she could scoop together some information.

"We sort of had a fight." Shadowpaw stated vaguely, not wanting to give away her whole story to some tom she had been acquainted to all her life, but not actually known him. Lionheart seemed friendly enough, but he could have easily been like Streamflow.

[shadow]

Lionheart nodded in understanding. Though his mentor, Webtail, had been his best friend since he'd been a kit, Lionheart had heard and seen many fights between mentors and apprentices. As far as he understood it was just natural. Not all cats got along, especially between teacher and pupil. Different opinions, punishments and all sorts of other things became fuel for flickering flames of dislike. Lionheart studied the unfortunate apprentice and sighed softly. "It happens, fights between mentors and apprentices." Lionheart shrugged his great shoulders and looked up at Silverpelt, wondering if Webtail would help him now. He'd never had his own apprentice and had never really had an actual "fight" with Webstail. For him this was new ground. Still studying the stars, Lionheart spoke again: "I don't know why leaders thought pairing up headstrong cats with old cranky warriors would do them any good." His words were spoken lightly as he studied the shining stars with seemingly great interest.

He'd seen some bad matches in his moons of living. His sister, Mistwhisker, had been headstrong and stubborn. Her mentor had been an aging cat near blindness that stubbornly refused to become an elder. Go figure that when you stuck two stubborn cats together it just made things worse. Fights between the pair had become regular and fast. Lionheart remembered that he, Berrypaw and Fawnpaw had often chased after Mistpaw when she'd stormed out of camp at night in a huff. They'd gone after her to stop her from doing something she'd regret and also make sure no badgers or foxes got her. Anger was a terrible, powerful and dangerous thing. Lionheart knew that first hand.

"My sister used to fight with her mentor all the time in the middle of camp for everyone to see. They were two stubborn cats that didn't know when to quit and in the end that stubbornness helped Mistpaw keep trying to be better than her mentor because despite him being old and grumpy, she could never beat him in a spar." Lionheart gazed over at Shadowpaw again. "But she became one of the best cats I knew because of that old tom, grumpy as he may have been. They died fighting in a border battle side by side and they took a few ShadeClan cats with them." Lionheart chuckled affectionately at the thought of his sister arguing with her mentor while fighting a ShadeClan patrol. "I think they fought because Mistwhisker was strong and so was her mentor. He didn't know how to show pride or affection any other way. Something tells me however that with you and Swiftriver it might not be so simple or maybe it's even simpler?"

[Duskstar]

"It happens, fights between mentors and apprentices. I don't know why leaders thought pairing up headstrong cats with old cranky warriors would do them any good."

"I know what you mean." Said Shadowpaw, tail now uncoiling from around her paws and waving silently back and forth. "It isn't fair to either of them." The apprentice imagined an arrogant kit having to train with Chaosheart, one of the clan's elders. Then again, Chaosheart would whip the kit into shape, respect wise. There were a countless amount of them that ran out of the nursery from being growled at by the elder. When warriors went in to get the rest of the story it turned out they had simply disrespected the tom. Really he wasn't that hard to get along with, from what Shadowpaw had gathered. All you had to do was use common sense and be nice. She would know, from all the extra elder's chores she had to do this past day.

"My sister used to fight with her mentor all the time in the middle of camp for everyone to see. They were two stubborn cats that didn't know when to quit and in the end that stubbornness helped Mistpaw keep trying to be better than her mentor because despite him being old and grumpy, she could never beat him in a spar. But she became one of the best cats I knew because of that old tom, grumpy as he may have been. They died fighting in a border battle side by side and they took a few ShadeClan cats with them. I think they fought because Mistwhisker was strong and so was her mentor. He didn't know how to show pride or affection any other way. Something tells me however that with you and Swiftriver it might not be so simple or maybe it's even simpler?"

Shadowpaw listened intently to the story being told by Lionheart. She was sure there was a hidden message in there somewhere, and that the warrior was just trying to teach her to respect her mentor because really they were very alike. How wrong he was. "No, I'm pretty sure its just Swiftriver with the problem. He pushes me too hard and expects me to get everything right the first time." Though after speaking Shadowpaw knew the entire statement wasn't true. He had been frustrated with her because she thought that the hunter's crouch she did was perfect, not because he expected her to do it perfectly.

[shadow]

"Really?" Lionheart asked, flicking his tail and looking quite interested at the statement. Perfect huh? Right. Twenty moons of age and Lionheart still messed up his squirrel hunting technique. No one did anything perfectly but then again, Shadowpaw was still frustrated with Swiftriver. That could lead to exaggeration. He remembered as a kit he had watched apprentices from the nursery. Webtail had been a little older than Swiftriver by about four moons or so. From what he remembered, Swiftriver had been a good-natured cat. New mentors were always hard though. They didn't know what worked and what didn't, how hard to push, when to call it quits. Even Lionheart had to admit he didn't know. He'd never been a mentor but he went on his gut feeling. So far it was working, or so he thought.

"Have you ever told Swiftriver that he needs to slow down?" Lionheart asked curiously. "Swiftriver is a cat with a high endurance, high expectations. You can meet his expectations, I know you can Shadowpaw but in your own time perhaps hmm?" His tone was good-natured and friendly and his amber eyes lit up as a thought came into his mind. "How about I help you with what you're having trouble with that way you can show Swiftriver?" The offer was friendly and Lionheart was fairly sure his idea would work.

Right now the pair were on rocky road but maybe if Shadowpaw could get help from him, Swiftriver would be in a bit of a better mood? Also, it would do Shadowpaw more good then hearing Swiftriver fussing and growling about her doing it wrong. Shadowpaw wasn't old enough to be doing difficult battle moves so Lionheart was fairly sure she would still be doing hunting moves. If that was the problem then it could be easily fixed.

[Duskstar]

"Well," Started Shadowpaw, "I didn't really get the chance to. He's always running ahead of me like an excited kit, then telling me what to do as soon as we get there. I don't really talk much." Trying not to wince at the memory of their first real training session, the apprentice thought about Pebblepaw. She was probably out training with Duskstar all day today, and would be way ahead of her sister by the time Shadowpaw started up again. A mixture of jealously and sadness flowed through the she-cat. She had thought for sure she would get her father as a mentor, not Swiftriver.

"Swiftriver is a cat with a high endurance, high expectations. You can meet his expectations, I know you can Shadowpaw but in your own time perhaps hmm? How about I help you with what you're having trouble with that way you can show Swiftriver?""

Doubt flooded through Shadowpaw, thinking about how quickly she had fixed what her mentor told her to do. Well, after talking back to him. "Actually," She started, looking down at her paws again, "Its not just that. I sort of talked back to Swiftriver and thats what made him angry." Dull yellow gaze looked up at Lionheart, "I'm the leader's daughter, and they usually get mentored by senior warriors, or the deputy, right?" The apprentice was sure that was the case, and was confused as to why she wasn't given a good mentor. Someone other than Swiftriver. Preferably her father.

[shadow]

Lionheart studied Shadowpaw for a moment, debating on a good reply. What she said was sort of true. Because leaders wanted only the best for their own kits they were often mentored by seasoned warriors or the deputy. After all, who wouldn't want a good deputy to teach their kits? The thing was, to make a seasoned warrior a good mentor that meant they all had to start somewhere with someone. Sure it was frustrating but that was the recipe for a good warrior; time, battles, apprentices and heartbreak. So far Lionheart had faced two out of four. Swiftriver, well, Lionheart didn't know about him so he couldn't say.

"You're forgetting that those senior warriors had a first apprentice too" Lionheart pointed out patiently. "They struggled with their apprentices just as much as you're struggling with Swiftriver. Who else would have mentored you? There are only so many warriors in the clan right now and Swiftriver would have to learn sometime."

Playing devil's advocate, Lionheart watched Shadowpaw for her reply. It was obvious she didn't like Swiftriver, whether it was about how he trained or just clashing personalities. Either one could spell disaster if they didn't get over it and move on. Everyone dreamed of being the apprentice of the leader, deputy or some other respected old warrior. Lionheart had also at one point but he'd also been lucky to find his best friend was his mentor. Whether that had been intentional or not, Lionheart would never know because he'd never asked. Even if Shadowpaw said she preferred him as a mentor, Lionheart could only point out that he too had never had an apprentice and was liable to make mistakes.

[Duskstar]

Shadowpaw pondered the thought for a moment. Sure, cats like Duskstar and Breezewhisper had a first apprentice too, but why would a leader give their own daughter as a first apprentice. It just didn't make sense to her. Ebony tail flicking she stepped toward the edge of the Drop Off, keeping enough distance away as not to fall. While standing there, staring out into ShadeClan territory, the apprentice couldn't help but wonder why Lionheart hadn't been her mentor. They seemed like a good fit, and although he hadn't had his first apprentice, Shadowpaw would've been a good start for him.

"That's true, but why wouldn't Duskstar chose a different cat to be their first, instead of me?" She wasn't trying to sound selfish or spoiled, but was just hurt that seemingly her father didn't care about her. Jet black pelt ruffled against a nighttime breeze, dull yellow gaze scanning the sky. "If Iceshadow was still alive, I bet she'd be my mentor."

With a sigh Shadowpaw took another step closer to the edge of the long fall, unafraid. She craned her neck to see over the top of it, mouth gaping at the long fall to the bottom. "Lionheart, look-" Suddenly the ebony apprentice was cut off, the stone beneath her crumbling. Gasping Shadowpaw turned and tried to run, but soon there was nothing beneath her paws to save her from the long fall. With a sharp yowl she fell partially, her hind paws scrambling to get a hold on the rock, while her front paws clawed at the surface. Shadowpaw was halfway to her death.

"Lionheart!" She yowled, claws flexing as she snagged one of them in a crack in the otherwise smooth surface. Then the apprentice lost it, almost falling once more as she tried to scramble for safety again, unsuccessful. The experience was terrifying as Shadowpaw yowled in fear, front paws beginning to tire from holding her body and slowly sliding away from the rock above her.

[shadow]

"Wait Shadow..." Lionheart began but his warning was cut off as the ground under the apprentice began to crumble. Amber optics widened and muscles bunched. In a flash of ginger the mighty tomcat sprang toward her, his claws brushing her fur before she began her fall. Hissing out a curse, Lionheart lunged again. His claws sank into Shadowpaw's shoulders, fangs gripping her scruff firmly. Releasing his grip on her shoulders, Lionheart growled in effort as he hauled Shadowpaw backward, hind legs straining. With a grunt the big tom half flung, half tossed Shadowpaw toward safety. His greater weight seemed to unsettle the feeble ground below his paws and he felt his limbs sliding backward toward his doom.

Sinking his claws into the earth Lionheart coiled his muscles and flung himself away from the edge just as the ground under his hind legs fell away completely. Half falling and half jumping, Lionheart sprang toward the solid ground as pebbles, dirt and debris tumbled downward forevermore. The big warrior's paws thudded as he landed unsteadily, no time to balance in his panic. Nearly falling over his own paws, Lionheart settled in a crouch, heart thudding wildly, amber eyes narrowed in fright and his thick fur on end.

Forcing his panic-stiffened limbs to move Lionheart eased himself up again and looked around for Shadowpaw, heart hammering against his ribs. Catching sight of the black scrap of fur, Lionheart made his way toward her, his trembling hidden by his large size and thick fur. "Shadowpaw" he rasped softly, "are you alright?"

If she was hurt, Duskstar would flay his fur and leave him for the vultures to pick at. Though he was sure, or at least hoping, that was an exaggeration Lionheart greatly preferred the idea of returning the leader's daughter to camp unharmed.

[Duskstar]

;; Shadowpaw felt claws sink into her shoulder, the pain taking her by surprise and causing the she-cat to slip further downward. Luckily Lionheart was able to grab hold of her scruff, and the apprentice found herself being lifted, slowly, from the edge of the Drop Off. After a fly through the air, Shadowpaw landed with a sickening thud on the rock. A yowl of pain struck the night air as a sharp pain ran up from her paw. Forcing herself to her paws, well, three of them anyway, dull yellow gaze glowed with discomfort. Just then the ground beneath Lionheart began to crumble, and Shadowpaw started toward him, but another sharp pain held her back, and luckily the tom was able to spring to safety.

;; Shaking slightly, the apprentice started toward him, though much slower this time, and limping heavily on her left front paw. It was probably just twisted, but hurt just as badly as a break. She winced as the paw was walked on wrong, letting out an inaudible hiss. At Lionheart's question Shadowpaw merely nodded. After all, despite her paw and some minor bleeding on her shoulder its not like she would die. Much better than falling off of a cliff.

;; Upon reaching the golden warrior, dull yellow gaze met his, "Lionheart- you..." A large shaky breath was taken, "You saved my life... Thank you." Shadowpaw stared at the stars. Had she been alone tonight, there would have been one extra cat gleaming in Silverpelt. Now even more her respect for Lionheart rose, and hatred of Swiftriver did as well. If only the cat before her had been chosen as her mentor. He was calm, patient, and kind; all traits she would have loved in a mentor. Swiftriver on the other paw, was impatient, hyperactive, and just plain annoying. Shadowpaw suppressed a hiss of pain as another sharp jab came up her leg.

[sorry about the changing looks of my posts, I'm trying to decide on one xD]

[shadow]

The limp and hissing didn't get past Lionheart. Toning down his own trembling, Lionheart leaned in to examine the wounded paw which seemed to be starting to swell but apart from that he couldn't tell if it was a sprain or a break. Giving Shadowpaw's ear a comforting lick the big tom purred softly. "My mentor told me once that a warrior is useless if they refuse to sacrifice their own lives for those within their own clan" he told her, lucky to find his voice was it's same deep, relaxed tone rather then shaky and scared out of his wits like he felt. He decided he could leave out the part about not wanting to anger Duskstar. She could probably figure that out on her own, after all she was a very smart cat.

Looking back at her injured limb Lionheart sat back on his haunches, very lightly brushing his nose against the wound. "We should get you to a medicine cat. Do you think you can walk?"

Lionheart was plenty big enough to carry even Shadowpaw but he knew she had her pride. If she wanted to limp then he would walk with her, it made little difference to him. They'd both probably be scolded for being out after dark much less letting an apprentice so close to the Drop Off. Oh well, it could have been worse. They both could have gone splat at the bottom of some forgotten canyon below the Drop. Wearily Lionheart glanced toward the place and shivered slightly before turning his molten amber gaze back to Shadowpaw for her reply.

[Duskstar]

;; Shadowpaw gingerly shifted her weight onto her front paw, wincing as the familiar pain shot up her leg. No matter how much it hurt, though, the apprentice would never accept help. That's just how proud she was. Iceshadow was the same way, but of course she didn't know that. As a dull yellow gaze hardened with concentration, the ebony feline nodded, "I can walk." As Shadowpaw spoke another sharp pain shot up her leg as if a badger were snapping it in half, and this caused her voice to rise sharply. The skin under the apprentice's fur grew hot with embarrassment. Lionheart probably thought she was being a wimp. Determined not to mess up again, Shadowpaw started toward camp, easing her shaking limbs with happier thoughts. It was hard, though, considering what was going on in her life during this time.

;; "Now I definitely won't get to go to the gathering..." The she-cat sighed, almost to herself, "StarClan must hate me..." The last sentence was barely a whisper, so quiet that surely no cat would be able to hear it. Of course her warrior ancestors didn't like her! Why else would Shadowpaw be given such rotten luck? Hissing as another pain shot up her leg, the apprentice gazed up at Silverpelt.

;; "StarClan, do you truly hate me so much?" The thought would seem foolish to many, but she really felt as though they had abandoned her. As if she had done something wrong to anger her warrior ancestors. The question was, what had she done? Shadowpaw rattled her brain to find these answers, coming up with nothing. Sure she had snuck out of camp and done her share of kit rebels, but everyone had, hadn't they? Leg throbbing, dull gaze thoughtful, and still shaking from her experience, Shadowpaw continued toward camp, finally seeing th e entrance to the cave.

;; After limping to about a tail length away from the tunnel, gaze identical to her father's rested on the large warrior, "Lionheart, I can tell Duskstar I was out here alone." The last thing Shadowpaw wanted to do was get her friend into trouble, though she doubted the StoneClan leader would be anything less than grateful that someone had saved her, "You already sacrificed enough for me."

[shadow]

Lionheart purred very softly in approval. As he had expected, Shadowpaw was very proud and determined, good things to see in a future warrior. As they walked slowly, Lionheart kept a keen gaze on Shadowpaw without looking directly at her. He didn't want her to feel like he thought she was weak. When she stumbled or hissed in pain, Lionheart would brush his nose against her dark fur reassuringly, hearing her very soft whispers. His heart went out to the unfortunate little she-cat. She was a good cat and would make a good warrior but she had to learn to meet in the middle with Swiftriver and with herself. Someday Shadowpaw would have to learn to push her pride aside and accept help. That was what a clan was for, to back you up and give you support. At least for now he was fairly sure she knew she had at least one friend in the clan.

The big tabby followed Shadowpaw through the tunnel into the camp and glanced over at Duskstar before looking at Shadowpaw. The tom chuckled. "I don't think so little Grasshopper" Lionheart meowed, deep voice friendly and lightly amused. "I was out there of my own accord and I have no fear of Duskstar." Lionheart brushed his plume of a tail against Shadowpaw's shoulder. "If you'd like to face him you may but tell him about Swiftriver, he may be able to help. Then get yourself to the medicine cat's den or I'll carry you there like a kit."

His last sentence was spoken firmly, almost seriously but there was still that friendly glint of humor in his amber gaze. Padding toward the warrior den a few tail-lengths away, Lionheart settled himself in a crouch to keep an eye on the father and daughter but also to make sure Shadowpaw did go to the medicine cat after her talk with Duskstar.