Camp SkC to live by // cinderpaw

[Cherrydawn Cherrydawn]

CHERRY OF SKYCLAN

" Now, I know it feels absolutely awful to have to wait, now that you've finally been made an apprentice. " Cherrydawn meowed, her voice light with amusement, a warm smile tugging at her muzzle. Her mismatched eyes glinted with soft affection as she looked down at Cinderpaw. " But I promise... " she continued, tail flicking with playful energy. " The moment you hit six moons, we'll be racing through the territory! "

She paused, expression brightening with an idea. " Now, since we're stuck here in the meantime... " she trailed off, then gave a sheepish little shrug. " Well, we could do chores, like searching for ticks... But I'm thinking the Warrior Code should take top priority today. " Her tone turned more thoughtful as she wrapped her tail neatly around her paws, settling down before her apprentice. " It's really important, you know. It's what separates us from rogues and loners... We have guidance. A code to live by. It keeps us strong, united, and honorable. " She gave a firm nod, echoing words that had once been spoken to her in her earliest days as an apprentice.

After a heartbeat of quiet, she tilted her head slightly. " Is there anything you'd like to know about the code? " Her voice was soft again, almost teasing as she added with a light purr. " Can you recite any parts of it? Think you can impress your brand new mentor? "

THROUGH DIRT AND SHADOW I GROW ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— I'm reaching light through the struggle

 

[cinderpaw. cinderpaw.]

Cinderpaw was anticipating leaving the camp, but his father's stern voice- and Hawkstar realizing her mistake, he would fail to be able to leave just yet. It was distracting in camp to say the least- the kits playing off by the nursery was hard not to focus on, but as Cherrydawn sat down with him, the albino apprentice moved forward to sit with his back facing the playing. That should help, right? He hoped so- sitting down upright with his fluffy tail over paws.

"Oooo! Like actual racing too? Cherrydawn, what else will we be doing out there?" He asks, body anticipating what to expect, especially if she was promising. Her face lit up, and he tilted his head slightly. What! Ticks! He almost groaned, but remembered- the elders really did have some amazing stories, and he was sure unless they were cranky, that they would have an amazing story to tell while he did it. However, Cherrydawn continued, and his eyes lit up. The code? He knew so much of that- he was sure of it!

And Cherrydawn wasn't wrong, after all. It was honourable to live by it. "Kits, elders, and queens should always eat first! The kits are growing bodies, and they need a lot to keep growing! And the elders have looooong since shown their share and deserve the food. And queens have to feed the tiny ones." He started, chattering in an endless stream of excitement.

"And then I know there's these borders, and we can't cross them! Because it's very dangerous. Like cousin Rosebelly," he said, head dropping a bit and ears flattening before shaking his head. Pink eyes look up to her. "But the weirdest one- is why can we not kill, if they want to kill us? The clans out there don't sound like they follow the code- and what if we show mercy- then they kill us?" He asked, tilting his head to his mentor with scrunched face of confusion. It made him sad to think about, but curiosity took him further, and he knew it was okay to ask questions.

cinderpaw - 5 moons - skyclan apprentice - mentored by cherry

 

[Cherrydawn Cherrydawn]

CHERRY OF SKYCLAN

Cherrydawn sat patiently beside the young apprentice, a soft glimmer in her mismatched eyes as she watched him. He was such a bright young sprout, so full of potential and curiosity. She could already imagine the fine warrior he'd become one day, and StarClan, what an honor it was to be the one to guide him there. But then, an unwelcome thought crept in. What if she wasn't good enough? What if she failed him? What if he ended up like-- No. She caught herself sharply, drawing in a deep breath through her nose. No, she couldn't think like that.

Forcing a small smile, she nodded as Cinderpaw spoke, pride stirring again in her chest. He recited everything so well, the words of the Warrior Code flowing confidently from him. He knew it, and she prayed with all her heart that he would live by it too. If he kept that spark alive, if he held onto that drive, then all would be--

And then he mentioned the borders. And Rosebelly.

Her expression faltered, pride dissolving into a quiet ache that settled deep behind her ribs. The grief was still there, buried, but never gone. She blinked slowly, dipping her head as her voice fell to a whisper. " Yes… we must respect the borders. Stay on our side of them... " she murmured. Nobody truly knew what had happened that day. Only the cat who still lived and breathed could say for sure, and Cherrydawn wasn't certain that the truth would make any difference anymore. " It's the right thing to do. " she continued softly, her tone heavy with meaning. " Mark your borders, and keep to your own. That's what keeps peace. "

Her eyes flitted toward the exit of the camp momentarily, her mind drifting to the cats of the forest. " Those cats… living out there… " she started, then stopped herself. What was she trying to say? They claimed to be Clan cats, but if so, how could they have killed Rosebelly so brutally? Did they truly follow the Code? Did they even know it? Finally, she drew a slow breath, forcing her thoughts back to her apprentice. " If you must fight... " she said gently. " Always fight to protect, to defend. Never fight with the intent to kill. But… " her voice softened, breaking just a little. " Don't let yourself get killed either, Cinderpaw. It's a hard balance to learn, I know, but I'll teach you. I'll teach you some good moves. "

A small smile returned to her face, bittersweet but full of love. " You'll be just fine. "

THROUGH DIRT AND SHADOW I GROW ——･ﾟ✦​

･ﾟ✦ —— I'm reaching light through the struggle