Rii's Stories in Progress.

[ritsuko]

This whole thread is based on stories I've written or have been writing over the past few years. Some are fanbased, some are just things I've done because I am bored and my attention span at college was ought.

Some of the stories can be:

Warriors:
- Icestream's Passion.
- Whitewind's Nurture.
- Ivytail's Strength.
- Cherrytail's belief.

I also wrote MLP Fanfics.

Beauty and the Beast - Queen Chrysalis' return.

and my own things like:

Fang's Fury

Yoko's Ballad

Dawn of the dusk.

Feel free to comment along the way and tell me what you think.

ALSO, YOU can request for a continuation of the storyline or for a snippet of one of the stories to be down. Either way, this is purely out of my boredom.

[ritsuko]

-Icestream's Passion-
A fanfiction based entirely off of Crookedstar's Promise. I've been thinking this one through and through alongside several others which I may do in the future. Ivytail's strength and Whitewinds nurture. In the meantime, I'll proceed with this one.
Rii -
(c)Crookedstar is originally Erinhunters cat from the series "Warriors", I do not own any cats in this fanfiction except any that is related to or mate to Icestream.
Enjoy!
-
Prologue -

"Take it easy, Willowfur. They're almost there." A brown tom cooed to his mate, pressing her fur to her pale brown pelt and nuzzling softly into it.
"I see a kit coming!" Shouted Brambleberry in a calm tone. As the she-cat known as Willowfur convulsed, out rolled a small little mound of white fur. "It's a She-kit!" Brambleberry added, nuzzling the kit towards her mother.
Willowfur panted, coaxing her head around to lick at the newborn kits head and moving her tongue around to remove any left over birthing fluid from the kits body.
As Willowfur tensed, she moved her head away and meowed in pain. "Another is coming?" She asked, forcing herself to push the kit that was within her body.
"Bite this." Brambleberry pushed over a stick to the birthing she-cat, listening to her bite firmly on it as she convulsed and pushed the kit out of the birthing canal.
The brown tom that was beside the she-cat lifted his head and looked around. What a place to give birth in, the lake was just next to them was a lake and it was frozen over. Willowfur had wanted to go with him on a walk and he had foolishly accepted it.
"You can do it, Willowfur." He suddenly meowed to her.
Willowfur tilted her head to watch him, clamping onto the stick, love in her blue eyes before tensing and pushing one last time. With the sound of a thump, a small brown kit rolled out onto the ground and mewled helplessly.
"It's a tom-kit" Brambleberry meowed afterward before feeling the she-cats stomach. "No more." She meowed softly towards the tired out willowfur. "You're all done. You had to choose a bad place to kit though" She picked up one of the kits and looked towards another cat that had been standing nearby. "Pick up the brown kit, please?" She asked through a mouthful of fur. "We need to take them to the nursery den immediately before they freeze to death. Ripplewhisker, guide your mate there." She began to walk off, flicking her tail towards the tom who had been waiting. As he picked up the smaller kit, listening to it mewl as he carried it away towards Riverclan camp, Ripplewhisker turned to face his mate before wrapping his tail around her haunches. "Lets go." He meowed, the weak queen nodded and heaved herself onto her paws just to walk slowly.

When they arrived at the den, Willowfur fell onto her side and just closed her eyes. Ripplewhisker's eyes widened as he ran to her side and licked her cheek, before glancing towards Brambleberry as she walked calmly in. "She'll be fine, she just used the last of her energy to walk. Next time, don't kit by the lakeside in the snowy leaf-bare!" Brambleberry passed Willowfur some herbs and then left the den.
Sighing with relief, the brown tom nuzzled into his mates cheek,watching her breathe slowly and deeply. "Well, Willowfur. You did it. I'm so proud of you and our children, but she has a point; you shouldn't go walking out so close to kitting." He pointed out before noticing her sigh and flick her tail, clearly feeling a bad for what she did. "What are you going to name them?" he asked, looking at the two small kits that suckled against their mother.
"Well, Ripplewhisker..." She trailed off before smiling and nuzzling softly into both kits. "The white one will be Icekit because she was born near the lake and the brown one will be up to you to name." She looked affectionately up towards her mate, a smile on her sleepy face.
"How about Otterkit?" Her mate asked, licking her cheek.
"Otterkit sounds good, Icekit and Otterkit, our two beautiful kits."
-
Chapter 1.

"Icekit, get back here!" Willowfur meowed pleadingly towards her daughter as the she-kit dashed towards the exit of the den. It had been two moons since she had been born and her brother had been too weak to survive a case of greencough and had sadly died, much to Brambleberry and Willowfur's dismay.
"I don't want to lose another kit!" Willowfur dashed after the small white kit before wrapping her paw around her and pulling her back into the den. "No." She sat down on her nest and looked up.
"Be careful..." Meowed a grey queen from the next across the nursery den. "My kit is sleeping." She looked down towards a small dusky grey she-kit with flecks of black on her body who was curled up beside her, her tiny tail flicking up against her small pink nose.
"Sorry Mistfur, Pebblekit." Meowed Willowfur in reply before picking up Icekit by the scruff and placing her back down against the nest just to begin grooming her.
Icekit's eyes narrowed as she looked up towards her mother, her blue eyes holding her mothers blue eyes. /I'm not a newborn kit like Pebblekit is./ she objected thoughtfully, biting back her tongue before she could say anything that would make Mistfur and Willowfur mad. "I'm bored though, can't I go and play with the apprentices? They always seem to be having fun!" She mewed sadly, frowning.
"I'll take you out when your old enough to, wait another moon." Willowfur's calm reply came, making Icekit sigh and turn to look at Pebblekit. Listening to cats play outside, she twitched her ears and listened intently.
"Shellpaw! Pass the moss baw over here!" Cried a she-cat.
"Okay! Here it is, Rainpaw!" came a reply from a tom, who she guessed was Shellpaw.
"Got it! Catch Echopaw!"
"I got it!" Replied Echopaw.
Icekit's claws dug into the ground, her fur ruffled. /I want to play with those older cats too.../ She thought irritably. /Why can't I?/
She shifted her gaze towards her mother, eyes narrowed before sighing and yawning. /Four more moons, Icekit, Four more moons.../ She lied on her side and curled up, yawning she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

"Let all those who are old enough to fish gather around!" Cried a tom.
As all the cats walked outside, Willowfur hurdled Icekit to the entrance.
"This is a warriors ceremony." Willowfur meowed to her daughter.
/I know what a warriors ceremony is./ Icekit thought, despite her blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Shellpaw and Echopaw, you've both learnt well in the ways of a warrior and are ready to take on the responsibilities of warriorhood." As Riverstar gestured towards each of the cats mentors and asked them if they were ready, both mentors nodded.
"Very well, Shellpaw, you will be now known as Shellheart for your mysterious, yet loyal personality. Echopaw, you will be known as Echomist for your beauty and how you bring calm and collective appearance to everybody." As Riverstar finished, all the cats burst into a bout of chanting.
"Shellheart, Shellheart, Echomist, Echomist!"
Icekit watched as Echomist ran to a tomcat, their noses pressed to each other and she could see the love in their eyes.
"Willowfur, who is that cat?" She asked, shifting her gaze towards her mother.
"That's Hailheart." Replied Willowfur calmly. "Come, lets go." She guided her daughter back into the den, a few heartbeats later, Ripplewhisker came in and placed down a big plump fish for them.
"I fished it, but I want you two to have it. You both need strength." He meowed softly, nuzzling into Willowfur before licking Icekit's cheek, then nodding towards Mistfur and leaving the den.

[ritsuko]

Chapter 2

Icekit's paws itched beneath her, her fur was flattened and silky; an obvious sign that it had been washed. Cats gathered around the rock with Riverstar standing majestically on top with his head held high. Looking around, blinking her blue eyes - Icekit's gaze swept over the group of cats. She could see Rainflower; a she-cat who had been made a warrior just one moon ago. As the sun bore down on her pelt, Icekit felt warm and looked up to greet the sun with a happy blink. Today was a good day and just seemed to be getting better.
Cats were gathering up, more and more by the second. Now that she took note of it, this clan was much bigger than she remembered. Looking up towards her mother, her gaze met pride and love. Looking to the other side; her gaze met her fathers and she could see in him what she saw in her mother. Their tails were all twined together behind her.
Riverstar finally spoke, causing the group of cats to become silent. As his throat rumbled, he mewed, "Today is the ceremony of our new apprentice." He looked around at the cats and his gaze caught Icekit's. "Icekit, come here."
Icekit's legs froze, she realized she was unable to move and that was when she became nervous. She forced one paw to move and slowly made way to the front. Now that she was up close and personal with the leader of her clan, she realized just now how big he was. Looking up at him, her blue eyes wide with fear she lowered her head.
"Icekit, you're old enough to become an apprentice now." Riverstar mewed calmly, warming Icekit's heart just slightly. "I call upon Starclan to welcome our new apprentice. From this day on, you'll be known as Icepaw of Riverclan until you receive your warrior name. " His gaze left Icepaw's and he looked around the camp. "Pebblepelt." His gaze met a beautiful grey she-cat, her fur was white and speckled just like pebbles and her left paw was a darker grey. She stood up and made her way to the front.
"You're ready for an apprentice and so you'll now become Icepaw's mentor." He looked towards Icepaw once more and she froze on the spot. Pebblepelt walked over to her and looked down at her with amethyst eyes. Their noses touched and the cats burst out into a bout, chanting Icepaw's new name.
Icepaw felt rush run over her body and she looked around at her clan. Lowering her head, she hit the ground with her paw and smiled. When the chanting was done, the cats cleared off to do their things with the occasional congratulations towards both Icepaw and Pebblepelt. Icepaw looked towards her mentor, waiting for her command. When Pebblepelt parted her lips to speak, Pebblekit dashed over to congratulate her old denmate with Mistfur.
"Congratulations, Icepaw! I can't wait to be like you, that way I can become the best warrior." She leaped onto Icepaw, however due to the size; Icepaw staggered and then moved away. Mistfur wrapped her paw around Pebblekit and pulled her back before watching Icepaw. "You'll be an apprentice in two moons, be patient." She mewed cooly before lowering her head in congratulations towards Icepaw and turning away with Pebblekit.
"So, as I was going to say." Pebblepelt rushed, her amethyst gaze moving to look down at the young apprentice. "We'll be touring today. Surely after being in the nest for moons, you want to adventure around more than a camp?"
Icepaw's eyes lit up and she nodded excitedly.
"I'll be expecting a lot from you." Her mentor mewed softly, watching the young apprentice. "Don't let me down." Her voice was soft, but she was serious.
Icepaw's blue eyes watched her before she gave a quick nod; somewhat unsure of what to say. As they left the camp, they were silent until the reached the border towards Shadowclan. The dark wooded forest and the scent of decay filled Icepaw's pink nose and she fought the urge to cringe. Looking towards her mentor, she was silent for several seconds before letting out a soft sigh, an indication she was going to speak. As her lips parted, her mentor spoke.
"This is Shadowclan." She meowed, looking towards her apprentice. "They're hostile and terrible cats."
Icepaw's gaze moved towards the trees once more and she nodded. "They smell funny too."
"Shadowclan feed on carrion." Her mentor mewed briefly, causing Icepaw's attention to become drawn to her.
"Carrion?" Icepaw's eyes were curious.
"Can't you smell it? Crow food." Pebblepelt's eyes met her own. "They're horrible cats, they wont hesitate to kill any cat that even crosses their boundaries. You must not befriend them, they're not trustworthy at all."
Icepaw nodded, turning and following her mentor as she proceeded onward up the border and headed off towards a much more windy area.
In front of Icepaw, she saw nothing but heather. "Windclan?" Icepaw guessed, judging by the fact it was a lot more hilly and open.
"That's correct." Mewed Pebblepelt. "They're the same as those carrion eaters, however they eat rabbits and run fast, but they're smaller and will drown in water."
"We also can fight better." Mewed a deep voice. Pebblepelt's gaze whipped towards the voice. Icepaw's gaze peered around and she flattened her ears.
"Hawkfur." Mewed Pebblepelt, watching the tom that spoke. Icepaw noticed him, despite being small he was muscular and brown with scars over his face and pelt. He looked terrifying.
"Showing a mangy fisheater around?" Mewed a white and grey she-cat.
"My apprentice, Cloudsong." Pebblepelt corrected the she-cat, flicking her tail.
Icepaw looked towards Cloudsong and then her gaze met two beautiful green eyes. There staring at her was a brown tom, his pelt was sleek and he was small but handsome.
"Rabbitpaw has been training for a while and almost ready to be an apprentice, your apprentice stands no chance against him." Hawkfur moved closer to Rabbitpaw, mewing proudly.
"Your apprentice is small and skinny, stop eating all the prey and let some of your clan have some." Pebblepelt replied calmly, her amethyst eyes gazing at the tom with a challenging look.
"Watch what you say, fleapelt." Spat Cloudsong, taking a step forward.
Finally the last cat of the patrol spoke. "Cloudsong, Hawkfur; enough." The tom mewed. "No need to get worked up over a riverclan mentor and her apprentice. Don't challenge her and she wont challenge you."
"She started it, Sparrowflight." Snapped Hawkfur, his gaze meeting the tom.
"You would have taught Rabbitpaw the same thing if you bothered to take him around the border on his first border patrol when he was recently made an apprentice. All you wanted to do however was train him to fight, that turned out well now; didn't it?" Sparrowflight challenged, Hawkfur bit back his words and turned.
"Whatever, let's go. It's starting to smell of fish here." With that, he stalked off and the patrol followed.
Pebblepelt watched them go and rolled her eyes. "Mangeridden tom, that's what Hawkfur is."
Icepaw looked up towards her mentor, but her mind swirled. Rabbitpaw's gaze stayed in her mind and she couldn't figure out why.

[ritsuko]

After exploring the border to Thunderclan, Icepaw's paws ached and her eyes were heavy. The sun was setting and the sky was changed into hues of beautiful purples, pinks and oranges. Pebblepelt's tail flicked and she nuzzled into her apprentices cheek. "Eat up and get some rest, big day tomorrow." She mewed and then turned to get some prey.
Yawning, Icepaw's teeth were sharp and small and small. Clamping her mouth together, she headed lazily over to the fresh-kill pile and huddling up. She slowly moved her mouth towards the prey and biting into it softly. Moving her head around, she blinked her eyes and saw her mother head towards her.
"How was your first day as an apprentice?" She sat neatly, wrapping her tail around her forepaws and watched her daughter.
"It was great." Icepaw's energy suddenly burst into her body and she reared onto her hind paws before landing and gazing up at her mother. "Our territory is so big and Pebblepelt is a really good mentor." She flicked her tail, pawing the ground. "I saw Thunderclan, Windclan and Shadowclan."
"Be careful around those clans, they're not to be trusted." Mewed Willowfur.
"Pebblepelt said." Icepaw purred, pushing her head against her mothers. Her stomach rumbled shortly afterward and she turned to pick up a water vole and swallowed it down in just a few gulps.
"Now off to bed, you have a big day tomorrow." Her mother nudged her towards the dens and Icepaw trudged slowly towards the nursery den. She headed to the entrance, before turning and heading into the apprentice den.

As she entered, she noticed a nest freshly made and her gaze met Sootpaw, a dark grey tom.
He watched her before lowering his head and pressing it against his paws and drifting off to sleep.
Heading over to a nest, she curled up and closed her eyes; pressing her tail to her nose and letting sleep pull her away. Soon enough she was fast asleep and sprawled out on the nest.

"From this day on, you'll be known as Frostwhisker." Riverstar meowed, standing proudly on the rock; looking grey,
A snow white she-cat dashed towards a brown tabby and their noses touched. Her beautiful ice-blue eyes met his green eyes and they were obviously in love.
The image disappeared and that caused Icepaw to stir and move.
"Get off!" A meow escaped the den and caused her attention to flicker before she lifted her head. "Fishbrain! Did you hear me? Get off me!"
Opening her eyes slowly, Icepaw noticed that she was lying on the other side of the den. Beneath her was a tom who was grey and his fur was ruffled and spiked. Slowly, she yawned and stretched.
"Get off!" Sootpaw hissed. Icepaw finally realized she was on him and leaped off him.
"I apologize, Sootpaw!" Meowed Icepaw, ears flattened and she watched him. He glared at her and turned to stalk out.
Lying down on her nest, she sighed and slowly fell asleep once more. That dream was in her mind ands he wanted to remember it. Turning onto her side, she failed to find sleep.

"Let all cats old enough to catch fish gather around." Icepaw's ears twitched and she opened her blue eyes. Standing up, she prowled out of the den and looked around. It had been two moons since she was made an apprentice and Pebblepelt had finally owned up to the fact she was in love with a tom named Frostclaw and had been bonding with him. It was her day to relax so she was fine and able to relax.
Sitting down outside with the cluster of cats, she noticed Sootpaw watching as pebblepaw made her way up to the front as Riverstar called her name.
"Today is the ceremony of our new apprentice." Pebblepaw watched Riverstar, her body trembling; even Icepaw could see.
"I call upon Starclan to welcome our new apprentice. From this day on, you'll be known as Pebblepawpaw of Riverclan until you receive your warrior name. " His gaze left Icepaw's and he looked around the camp. "Ripplewhisker" His gaze met a Icepaw's father who made his way to the front. Icepaw only took now to notice how muscular and big her father was, his tail flicked her ear playfully and he sat down, even Riverstar and Pebblepaw were shocked by his size. "You're ready to have an apprentice and I've been watching you these past few moons. You will be Pebblepaw's mentor." He mewed, his voice deep. Pebblepaw plodded over to her new mentor and their noses met.
Suddenly, the cats burst out into a bout of cheering. "Pebblepaw! Pebblepaw!" and even Icepaw couldn't help but join in, paw raised.
After the ceremony, the nursery seemed rather empty now that there were no more cats in there.

Plodding over towards her father, Pebblepelt got in Icepaw's way and looked towards her father. "How about we go on a small patrol with Ripplewhisker and Pebblepaw?" Pebblepelt asked, looking towards her apprentice with intrigued eyes.
"O-okay." Icepaw mewed, watching as Pebblepelt strided towards the tom and spoke. Shortly after, she came back and gestured with her head for Icepaw to follow. Icepaw stood up and followed.
The four cats headed out of the territory, Pebblepelt caught up in a deep conversation with Ripplewhisker. Icepaw felt awkward around her new denmate, the she-cat was her previous denmate from the nursery den and they didn't really get along; mainly because Icepaw was always so adventurous and Pebblepaw was more or less in a shell, but that seemed to have changed. Now that she realized it, the height difference between the two she-cats was quite incredible. When they were kits, Icepaw was slightly bigger but now there was a big difference.

"Icepaw, there are so many wonderful scents!" Mewed Pebblepaw happily, looking towards her fellow apprentice. "I've always wondered what was beyond these camp walls." She looked towards Icepaw, expecting her to reply. Icepaw gave a curt nod and wiped the smile off Pebblepaw's face.
Finally, they arrived at the Shadowclan border once again and Icepaw got memories of when she first was an apprentice. By the sight of it, there was no sign that the shadowclan cats were coming so the four walked onward, Ripplewhisker explaining everything to Pebblepaw what everything was and she was nodding excitedly. Now that Icepaw had been used to the journey, she wasn't so tired anymore.
Suddenly the scent of heather rushed through her nose and her ears perked and twitched, the scent of Rabbits made her stomach rumble and she looked expectantly towards the Windclan border.
"This is the Windclan border." Mewed Ripplewhisker to Pebblepaw. "They're cats that chase rabbits and are rather small." It sounded exactly like what Pebblepelt had told Icepaw. Her tail flicked and she took a step forward but froze. Ripplewhisker walked onward with Pebblepelt and Pebblepaw, leaving Icepaw to gaze towards the border. She was hoping she would see Rabbitpaw again; why? She did not know. Sitting down, she gazed at the ground thoughtfully. The dream she had that night was somewhat weird. It was unnatural for a handsome cat to make way into her dream. She wanted a mate who was older than her, but the only apprentices in the den now were her, Pebblepaw and Sootpaw. Who was Frostwhisker and who was that white she-cat she saw in her dream? Was it a sign or just a kit dream? She didn't know. Looking up, her ears flattened.
"Psst." A hiss came from beside her. "Pssssst!" it came again. Blinking her blue eyes, Icepaw's head whisked to the side and there on the border was a brown tom.
"Rabbitpaw!" She mewed, turning to face him. Remembering about the code, she shook the hope that suddenly lifted her heart and forced her voice to be stern. "What are you doing here?"
"I was with a patrol, I saw you and wanted to come and see you." Rabbitpaw replied.
"Really? Why?" Icepaw swallowed, her teeth clamped together and her eyes met his.
"I can't explain now, my patrol is coming. Meet me here tonight and we can talk then." Rabbitpaw rushed, before turning to run to the patrol. "Remember! I'll be waiting until moonhigh!" and with that, he dashed off leaving Icepaw confused and without a chance to agree.

[ritsuko]

Chapter 4

When they arrived back at the camp, Icepaw had trailed off to the fresh kill pile and picked up a vole just to have it taken away from her by Pebblepelt. She placed it down on the ground in front of her apprentice and watched her carefully. "You've been mighty quiet since we passed windclan territory. Did something happen?" She asked, licking her paw and softly cuffing her right ear.
Icepaw gazed up at her, taking a few moments to take in what she had asked her before shaking her head. "No, no no." She stammered quickly before looking around to think of what to say next. "I was just..." Her tail lashed. "I was just thinking about how to improve my training; I can show you tomorrow and you can tell me what you think."
Pebblepelt watched her with intrigued eyes. "If you're sure." Standing up, she turned to leave her apprentice with a soft flick of her tail. The bushes vibrated and rustled and Sootpaw emerged into the camp carrying a large fish with his mentor, Frostclaw, following proud with his fur fluffed up.
Frostclaw walked off with Pebblepelt to discuss matters, their tails instantly twining and Sootpaw dropped the fish on the fresh kill pile.
"Look what I caught." He mewed proudly, his chest fur ruffled in pride. Icepaw was once again in her own little world and bent down to pick up her food to eat.
"Very nice." She mewed nonchalantly. Sootpaw's ears twitched and he narrowed his eyes before taking note of Pebblepaw. "Pebblepaw!" He mewed. Pebblepaw's ears twitched and she looked towards Sootpaw with an interested gaze. He dashed off to tell her about the fish he caught. Icepaw looked towards it before tilting her head and then shaking her head and walking into the apprentice den. She was wide awake, but she wanted to get some sleep before moonhigh so she could go and see Rabbitpaw.

Resting down on her nest, she gazed over the moss towards the empty area around her. Shafts of setting sun was glowing through the holes in the wall and ceiling and revealing some light. She took note of the three nests within the area and sighed, curling up and pressing the tip of her tail to her pink nose.
"Icepaw...?" A soft mew came from the entrance of the den, causing Icepaw to look up. "Icepaw, it's me..." In came Pebblepaw. "Icepaw, what are you doing trying to sleep? You've had more training me and you're tired. It's my first day and I'm still wide awake."
"I feel sick." Icepaw lied.
"Sick? That's not good! I'll go and get Brambleberry." Pebblepaw turned to run off but Icepaw shook her head.
"No! I just..." Icepaw shrugged, pressing her head to her nest.
"Just what?" Pebblepaw asked, turning to face her once again and headed deeper into the den. "What is it, Icepaw?"
"The kind of sick I feel is thoughtful sick. I just have a lot on my mind and want quiet." Icepaw replied, sitting up and cleaning her fur.
"Maybe I can help? I always helped Mistfur." Pebblepaw proceeded, pressing on before shortening her speech when she took note of Icepaw's blue gaze. "Or just be quiet and let you think."
"Please?" Meowed Icepaw before lowering her head. Pebblepaw nodded, turning and leaving the den. Briefly after, Icepaw felt guilty for speaking so coldly to Pebblepaw but what could she have done? She just wanted to be left alone and Pebblepaw was just pressing on.
Time seemed to pass and finally darkness took hold of Icepaw and she dozed off, letting her mind wander.

A tail flicked her nose, causing her nose to twitch and she opened her eyes slowly. The den was quiet other than the rhythmic snores of two cats. Lifting her head, she noticed both Sootpaw and Pebblepaw sleeping in different corners of the den. Even with them in, it was still pretty big and could fit more apprentices. Looking up at the ceiling, Icepaw noticed the moon was up and it was almost at the middle of the sky. She had to go and see Rabbitpaw. Standing up, she quietly slunk out of the den with her paws being careful where it stood and she froze. The area was silent, the only stirring was the soft breeze in the trees and the faint snoring of the warriors. Moving slowly through the undergrowth, she paused when noticing a tom standing guard. It was her father. He was paying attentionto the entrance of the camp and luckily not noticing her. She headed through the dirt tunnel before dashing off out of the camp entrance and running through the large territory. Finally, she was near the border of Windclan. Slinking down, she followed quietly under some brush before poking her head out. There sitting at the border, watching the entrance expectedly was Rabbitpaw. No cat seemed to be with him and when she inhaled the air, she could only smell him. "Rabbitpaw?" Icepaw asked, moving forward to see him.
Rabbitpaw looked towards her, his green eyes lighting up at the sight of her and took a step forward just to move back. The border was almost crossed. Icepaw moved towards him, sitting on her side of the border and watching him. "Why did you want me here?" She asked finally.
"I'm going to get in so much trouble if I'm caught talking to you like this. Tell me what it is you wanted me here and make it quick so I can head back before it's too late." It was Icepaw's first time out of the territory alone and she was admittedly scared. She could see by the moon that he was scared too.
"I wanted to see you." He finally meowed, watching her. Icepaw held her breath. /was that all?/ She thought before flicking her tail.
"Great, you saw me; now let me go." Icepaw stood up, but Rabbitpaw shook his head.
"It's unsafe here, follow me." Rabbitpaw gestured with his tail and ran up the border, Icepaw hesitated and then followed after. Finally they crossed the borders into a hidden creek area, there was a big log that was hallow and thin that crossed the creek and branches dangling down in a big umbrella formation. Gasping at the sigh, Icepaw was amazed. The moon was just high and bore down on the area with beauty, fireflies flew around and gave small bits of light that seemed to dance.
"It's beautiful..." Icepaw mused, walking down the hill before landing in the shallow stream and letting it seep through her paws. There was a contraption on a branch of the willow tree with ropes that moved down to a wooden plank on both sides. "What's that?" She asked, looking towards it and somewhat intrigued that it was moving back and forth slightly.
"I don't know, but I saw the two leg kits playing on it." Rabbitpaw replied, leaping up onto it and sat there. "It goes backwards and forwards really high and looks like fun. I just don't know how to work it. All the twolegs do is sit on it, kick their legs and it goes back and forwards like magic." He shrugged before laughing. "So I do this, it doesn't work aswell, but it still is fun." He bit down onto the rope beside him, wrapping his paws around it and tugging it down, the seat moved awkwardly up and then fell limply down again.

Icepaw's eyes narrowed and her tail lashed. "Why did you want me here?" She questioned him. Was he going to attack her and kill her? He had more training than she.
"I wanted to see you." Mewed Rabbitpaw, leaping down and walking to face her. "You seemed like a nice she-cat; really. I wanted to see you away from the other cats. No cat has followed me or knows I've left the camp."
Icepaw tilted her head, watching him with a curious expression. "Why?" She pressed on, awaiting his reply.
"I don't know, since I first saw you I had this crazy need to see you again. I even asked to join the patrol every day so I can see if I could see you. Hawkfur was getting suspicious, but he stopped when I told him it was just me wanting to work more for the clan and become better. He's really not that bad." Rabbitpaw explained.
Icepaw looked up, remembering that Hawkfur was the tom who had the scars over his pelt. "Pebblepelt seems to dislike him and he doesn't seem very nice." Icepaw replied.
"Pebblepelt gave him those scars." Rabbitpaw shuffled awkwardly, watching Icepaw with serious eyes. "He told me about Riverclan on my first patrol and he said about how there was a war that happened when he was a recently made warrior."
Pebblepelt was notorious for having sharp claws, she was one of the stronger warriors of Riverclan. There was even a kit tale of how she fought off a badger than had invaded Riverclan at the smell of fish. It had killed Pebblepelt's family and she was a queen at the time, at the last attempt to defend her kits she ripped the badgers right eye out of its socket. The badger ran away and apparently was found dead on Thunderclan thunderpath.
Icepaw's ears twitched, she shrugged straight after. "Just to protect her clan, nothing that should be held against."
Rabbitpaw's ears twitched and his tail flicked, but he shook it off briefly after. "Well, that's why they hate each other." He briefly spoke.
Icepaw shrugged, looking at the ground before shrugging. Suddenly, she looked towards Rabbitpaw.
"Icepaw, let's make a secret alliance?" Mewed Rabbitpaw, questioning her. "Just me and you?"
"A secret alliance?" Icepaw looked curiously to the side, her tail lashed and she gave a quick curt nod. "Just me and you."
"Yes." Mewed Rabbitpaw, walking forward to lick her forehead but to stop when Icepaw crooned away. "We could be friends too, maybe?"
"Friends?" Icepaw's ears twitched, flicking slightly before she quickly nodded. "Okay."
"Great!" Rabbitpaw seemed happy, nudging her playfully. The bushes rustled and caused both the apprentices attention to draw to it. The rustling stopped and nothing seemed to make an appearance.
"How strange." Rabbitpaw took a step forward but Icepaw put a paw to his tail.
"Stop, it could be a clan member. We should leave." She hissed in a low-toned whisper.
Rabbitpaw nodded, turning to face Icepaw and then sighed."Okay, but lets meet again at moonhigh again tomorrow."
Icepaw nodded, licking his cheek. "Here." She turned and dashed off, Rabbitpaw on her heels before separating into the two clan areas.
Finally, walking through the dirt tunnel when she arrived in the den; she headed silently into the apprentice den and carefully placed her paws down before flopping out in her nest and rolling around to rub off any strange scent and then pressed her head to her paws and closed her eyes. Soon enough, she was fast asleep.

[ritsuko]

Chapter 5
"Get up" A nose nudged Icepaw, causing her to groan and roll over. She was exhausted and her mind was so full the night before she hadn't slept. His green gaze kept flashing into her mind and kept distracting her, to make matters worse; that dream came again. "Up!"
"Get up you lazy furball, we have battle training today and one of us has to stay behind to take care of the elders. It's definitely not going to be me." A deep mew meowed and then a softer high pitch voice replied.
"It wont be me either! I want to fight, not take care of the elders. Wait for me Sootpaw!" Meowed Pebblepaw.
Icepaw's ears flicked, finally there was silence which meant she could sleep again. Slowly, dreamland began to take her before a strong tug got hold of her scruff and caused her to yowl and scratch at thin air.
"Seeing as you're trying to SKIP training." Hissed a familiar voice through fur. "You're going to be looking after the elders, if you can do that quickly; then you can join Sootpaw and Pebblepaw in training."
Icepaw's eyes opened slowly. She stared up with sleepy eyes towards the cat who was speaking to her. It was none other than her mentor, Pebblepelt.
Icepaw heaved a sigh as she was placed on the ground heavily.
"First..." Pebblepelt seemed irritated, her fur ruffled and spiking. Icepaw looked towards her, curiously despite being half asleep. "I want you to help change the bedding."
"But..." Icepaw watched her, wide eyed but was silenced.
"No buts or nothing. You wanted to sleep and skip battle training, so you must take care of the elders." Pebblepelt's gaze was intimidating, causing Icepaw to silence. "Bedding. Now."
Icepaw nodded awkwardly, moving slowly into the elder den.
"So, you fell victim?" Mewed Riverstream, a dark misty blue she-cat with amber eyes. Her pelt was stained with grey lines and gave sight that she was pretty old.
"Yes." Icepaw mewed awkwardly, shuffling awkwardly on the spot. She looked towards Riverstream who let out a soft laugh afterward. /I don't see what's so funny. / She lashed her tail and sighed.
"Riverstream, be quiet." mewed a gruff voice, a tom rolled over and sighed. His face was covered in scratches and scars on both eyes. Icepaw cringed slightly before beginning to grab some old moss from Riverstream's bed.
"Calm down." mewed Riverstream, a soft tone to her voice. "Was just talking to an apprentice." She let out another soft laugh and began to help Icepaw. "Here."
"No... It's okay." Icepaw mewed softly, sadly. "I'm okay doing this alone." She licked her maw, ears flicking and proceeded to claw and softly tear at the bedding.
"What is it? You're tired." Riverstream purred, nudging Icepaw before continuing to help her. Riverstream was Icepaw's mothers mother and always kept an eye on Icepaw. She visited once or twice while she was a kit.
"Ignore Troutclaw." Rivestream whispered, a soft wink before nudging Icepaw. "You're mighty tired."
"I'll wake up soon." Icepaw replied, ripping up some more moss."Be right back." She held the moss under her neck and plodded out before soon coming back in with from fresh moss and relaying Riverstream's bed. Soon, she checked for any sign of burs or anything that could be of an issue before going to do Troutclaw's.
"Are you done yet?" Pebblepelt mewed, her tone still full of an agitation as she spoke.
"No." Icepaw replied, her mouth full of foul tasting dirty moss.
"When you're done changing the bedding, you can get rid of any ticks and fleas they have." Pebblepelt turned and walked away, causing Icepaw to sigh and drop the wet moss. Leaning down to pick it up, she scurried out and began to change the moss, coming back with the new ones afterward. Once Troutclaw's nest was laid, she fell flat out on the floor and sighed. She was going to see Rabbitpaw again tonight, but her body didn't like the idea to stay awake all night. Letting out a heaving sigh, moving slowly back out and into the medicine den with a stick. Soon she was back in the elders den.
"Lets see..." Troutclaw's ears twitched and he lifted his head. "No." He hissed slightly, refusing the idea of the foul smelling anti-tick stick touch his scruff.
Icepaw frowned, looking desperately towards Riverstream. Riverstream gave a quick nod and she moved over to help Icepaw, pressing her paws to Troutclaws, pinning him.
"Now." She mewed.
Icepaw hesitantly watched before moving over and dabbing the stick as Troutclaw yowled in pure objection. "Get off of me!" He lashed his tail and growled deeply.
"No." Riverstream retorted. Icepaw moved in and grabbed the tick, breaking it in between her teeth and repeating this until she was sure there were no more.
Afrerward, she leaned away and looked towards Riverstream. Leaving the grouchy blind elder to growl and hiss at them.
Riverstream took a slow deep breath and lowered her head. Soon, Icepaw had done the pair of them and walked out.
"Done?" Pebblepelt asked. She looked impatient. Icepaw nodded, head low and ears flattened. "Good. Now we can begin your battle training while it's still going on."
By now the sun was at the middle of the sky and there was still a long day ahead.
"Let's train." Pebblepelt plodded on and Icepaw couldn't help but wonder.
"Why are you so angry today?" She asked when they were out of the camp grounds.
"I'm not." Pebblepelt lied.
"Yes. You are." Icepaw hissed, she wanted to know what her mentors problem was and why she was getting the short end of the paw.
"Because..." Pebblepelt stopped in her steps, sitting down. "I had a small agreement with my mate." She lowered her head. "I wanted to win."
"Win?" Icepaw asked, tilting her head.
"We wanted to catch the biggest fish from the lake and I lost. His was bigger and much livelier than mine. I'm not the best hunter like I thought I was. Sure that badger was easy to defeat, but that was because it was just a young one looking for a home and it was already injured. I'm not the fastest or the strongest." Pebblepelt stood up and walked onward. "I'm not letting you be like me, but when you didn't wake up until later than the other apprentices I just lost it. Maybe I'm not a good enough mentor."
"You're the best mentor out of all the ones currently here." Icepaw encouraged, nudging her. "Even if you're scary when you're mad."
Pebblepelt let out a soft laugh and flicked Icepaw's ear. "I apologize I've been so rough on you. I just let my competitive side get the best of me and caused you some trouble. If you're tired, we can head back."
"No, I'm fine." Icepaw was a little more awake now, she did sleep for a few hours after coming home. Finally they arrived at the training area.
"Now twist your body around, Pebblepaw. You've not got a proper grip on Sootpaw."
"Like this?" Pebblepaw's paws were wrapped around Sootpaw's chest and her hind legs lay limply against his flank.
"Almost." Replied Ripplewhisker. "Just got to move your posture."
Pebblepaw moved her hind legs, feeling them drop down both sides of Sootpaw and she moved a little to the right so both her paws were on the ground awkwardly. She twisted her body and the two apprentices tumbled over.
"Good!" Mewed Frostclaw, looking towards Pebblepelt and Icepaw. "They finally arrived, Ripplewhisker."
"Seems like Icepaw has seen better days." Sootpaw teased, getting a silencing stare from Pebblepaw.
Icepaw sat down and stretched before lashing her tail. "What have I missed?"
"About half a day of training." Sootpaw mocked.
"Ignore him, he's just jealous I could make him fall on the ground in a small test." Pebblepaw pushed her cheek against Icepaw's. "I'm so happy you finally came! Now we can all train together."
Pebblepelt cleared her throat and the three apprentices sat in a line.
"Judging by what you all know already, we can perfect those moves as there really is no time to learn new ones." Pebblepelt looked towards Ripplewhisker and then Frostclaw. "Okay, let's begin."

[ritsuko]

Chapter 6
The sun was just below the trees in the distance, the three apprentices were out of breath. All were obviously exhausted from trying hard at their new battlemoves. Icepaw was on the floor, ears flattened with Pebblepaw on her flank and Sootpaw sat nearby.
"You did well. All three of you." Pebblepelt meowed softly, flicking her grey tail and watching with interest. "You're improving on your moves."
She looked towards Ripplewhisker and Frostclaw.
Frostclaw nodded, moving his gaze towards Sootpaw with great interest and moving onward. Pebblepelt followed with Ripplewhisker just behind her.

Forcing herself to sit up, Icepaw yawned. She had to stay awake for a few more hours and then see Rabbitpaw. "Let's go." She walked after her mentor, listening to Pebblepaw heave a sigh, chasing after Icepaw with Sootpaw on her tail.
When they arrived at the camp, Riverstar was busy assigning the gathering patrol.
Icepaw let out another yawn, blinking as Pebblepelt came over. "I have some good news."
"Oh?" Icepaw asked, blinking. "What's the news?"
"You're going to visit tonights gathering." Pebblepelt answered, licking her paw and cuffing her ear. She repeated this process before finishing. "Get some rest, we'll be looking when the moon is up. We'll be leaving before moonhigh. You've been yawning all day." She turned and headed off towards Frostclaw.
Icepaw's ears twitched and she stood up, heading over to the apprentice den. Already in there was Pebblepaw who was curled up in her nest right beside Icepaw. Sootpaw was on the other side of the den snoozing. Finally. Icepaw could sleep. She drifted off, finally in a deep sleep.

"Icepaw. Awaken." A soft mew came, nudging her. "It's time to leave for the gathering."
"A gathering?" Icepaw rolled over, yawning and stretching. She wasn't fully rested, she was still exhausted.
"Yes. We're going to the gathering, all waiting on you." Pebblepelt spoke.
Icepaw slowly rolled onto her tummy, standing up slowly and stretching. "I haven't eaten all day."
"Well. Eat up." Pebblepelt urged. Moving on out the apprentice den. Icepaw waited until she was gone before stretched and yawned. Moving out the den and headed over towards the fresh-kill pile, her choice was very limited. There was a vole that was on the ground in front of her, clearly having been dropped a lot. She swallowed it down and spat at the bitter taste before walking over to the gathering of cats.
"Ready?" Riverstar meowed, questioningly. He flicked his tail and then lead the group down the camp and out the entrance towards the four trees. The sound of paws thrumming as the cats ran before a great opening appeared with a big group of cats. Standing on branches was three other cats.
"Sorry we were late." Riverstar bowed his head apologetically, climbing up onto his branch.
"As you should be." Mewed one of the leaders, flicking his tail with a scornful look.
Looking around, Icepaw was hopeful that Rabbitpaw was here. He would probably be expecting her to arrive. Her ears flattened and she let out a sigh.
"What's wrong?" Pebblepaw asked, brushing her cheek against Icepaw's. Admittedly, these past few days the two she-cats were getting close and were bound to be good friends. Icepaw looked towards Pebblepaw and heaved yet another sigh.
"Nothing." She flicked her tail and looked around. It was time for the cats to mingle and talk, even for a few minutes.
Icepaw looked around, feeling a tongue rasp her cheek and she got hopeful. Swirling around, her face came across blue eyes; not green.
"Mother!" Icepaw announced, surprised.
"Expecting someone else?" Willowfur mewed questioningly. She watched her kit with expectant eyes before letting out a soft laugh.
"No." Icepaw's reply was defensive. Willowfur looked towards Pebblepaw who shrugged. "I have something to do." With that said, Icepaw dashed away from her mother and denmate, feeling their gaze bore down on her back.
"Let the gathering begin!" Bellowed Shadowstar, her head up high. Green eyes gazing down at the cats.
Lowering her head, Icepaw felt beaten. Rabbitpaw was probably waiting for her by now and she hadn't been there to see him. Just why did she want to?
"Shadowclan has been fine, prey is running well these past moons. When leaf-bare comes we will all be well fed and strong. Prepares for any intruding clan." She looked towards the other three cats.
"Well." Pinestar lashed his tail, looking over the clans. "Thunderclan is well. Healthy." He looked towards Riverstar.
Riverstar lowered his head. "We are fine, healthy and evergrowing. We have all our apprentices here today."
"So that's barely any." Mocked a shadowclan tom next to Icepaw. "I can smell that fish."
/You stink of decay. Try washing yourself/ Icepaw thought, ears flicking.
Riverstar ignored the shadowclan tom before looking towards Heatherstar.
"Well." Heatherstar flicked her ears, her gaze moving accusingly towards Riverstar. "We've smelt some Riverclan up on our territory and even caught sightings of a Riverclan cats. We request you stay out of our territory or else consequences will HAPPEN." She flicked her tail.
Riverstar watched her, closing his eyes. "You accuse us when we've caught the same? Seems you're the intruders."
"Watch it." Heatherstar mewed. "A friendship could end." Her threat seemed to be taken fiercly. Icepaw took a slow deep breath and Riverstar lowered her head.
"Anything else?" Pinestar asked, looking towards Shadowstar. "If not, we can end this one early."
All the leaders shook their heads. "Very well then." Shadowstar proceeded.
As the cats began to mingle and say their goodbyes, Icepaw looked around one more time.
"Psst!" A voice hissed in her ear. Her ears twitched and she jumped around, fur ruffled, coming face to face with beautiful green eyes. Her lips parted and she stared.
"Rabbitpaw!" She hissed, her tone happy.
"I was worried you weren't going to be here. I was going to try and find you again so I could explain why I wouldn't meet you." He pressed his cheek to hers, but she pulled away. Instantly, he backed up and licked his chestfur quickly. "Sorry."
"I was starting to believe you were waiting for me." Icepaw apologized.
"Icepaw! Who is this?" Pebblepaw peered around at Rabbitpaw, sitting down beside Icepaw. "He smells like Windclan."
"Rabbitpaw." Icepaw said quickly. "That's his name."
"Ooh. He's very handsome." Pebblepaw softly budged Icepaw, listening to her laugh awkwardly.
Rabbitpaw tilted his head, blinking his green eyes curiously before parting his lips to speak.
"Sootpaw is waiting for you." Icepaw looked towards Pebblepaw. She looked around to see Sootpaw watching her near the group of Riverclan.
"Okay. See you in a few heartbeats!" Pebblepaw ran off in Sootpaw's direction. Icepaw let out a soft sigh, blinking.
"Next moon. Meet me, okay? Same place as before." Rabbitpaw looked at her, waiting for a few seconds. Seeing her nod, his tail lashed and he ran off. "Remember!"
Icepaw watched him go, her eyes closed and she turned. "Okay." She headed towards Riverclan and then watched as the clan burst into a run. More running. She chased after them, kicking up the ground as she did. Finally, they arrived back at the clan camp and Icepaw wasn't more relieved.
"Icepaw" Pebblepaw mewed when they arrived. "You and Rabbitpaw seem close." She sat down, facing Icepaw. Her green eyes gazing into Icepaw's blue eyes. She was serious and for once Icepaw saw the maturity in the young apprentice.
"Really?" Icepaw tried to avoid the subject. The grey and white she-cat in front of her seemed really suspicious. "We just met." She lied.
"Bite your tongue." Pebblepaw retorted. "I know you know him before. Your pelt smelled of him last night when you returned."
Icepaw stared, jaw open. "I was just making dirt and because I couldn't sleep I went to walk around." Icepaw couldn't help but shuffle awkwardly.
Pebblepaw watched her. "Icepaw, don't break the warrior code!" She was beginning to raise her voice. Icepaw shook her head, glaring at Pebblepaw. The she-cat went silent for a few seconds before once again lowering her voice. "You can't do this."
Icepaw watched her, frowning. "We're just friends. Secret alliance between us even." She was beginning to look pleading. "Don't tell anybody. Please?" She hissed.
"Icepaw..." Pebblepaw trailed off before sighing and sitting down. The she-cat in front of Icepaw went silent before she opened her eyes and lashed her tail. "Fine. It'll be a secret, but you must promise you wont fall in love."